Community gardens springing up

 The short-of-space but wannabe gardener now has a few places to put that green thumb to work in Montgomery County. 

Red Oak Community Garden

Despite an April 10 deadline, applications for the Red Oak Community Garden are still available at the Chamber and Industry Association and the Hy-Vee Garden Center.

Garden coordinator Larry Brandstetter said four applications have been received, but there are plots for at least seven more gardeners. 

Located east of the Evergreen Cemetery adjacent to the Red Oak Trail, the garden contains 11 20x50 foot plots and the possibility for other smaller 20x25 foot plots. 

The cost to obtain a plot is $20 or $40, depending on the size. 

A $750 Hy-Vee grant was awarded to Live Well Montgomery County, Friends of the Red Oak Trails, Hy-Vee and the City of Red Oak for the purchase of mulch, seeds, plants and other garden materials. The funds collected from the gardeners will be used to sustain the garden in the future when the grant money is no longer available. 

Brandstetter said the land has been plowed and is ready to plant as soon as possible. A water source, though, is still being finalized. Brandstetter said he is working with the Master Gardeners and hopes to obtain a 250-gallon tank to have on site with water purchased from the city.

For more information on the garden, contact Brandstetter at 623-4053. 

Villisca Community Garden

Through the joint efforts of the Villisca Lions Club and the New Horizons project, the Villisca Community Garden is located on the south side of town across from the railroad tracks. 

Like in Red Oak, the garden is funded by a Hy-Vee grant and a $25 fee to rent a raised bed garden plot. Other town organizations have also donated to the project.

Organizer Richard Mullen said there are 15 plots, and five-seven are still available. 

To secure a plot, contact Mullen at 712-826-4111, Kari Bloom at 712-826-2426 or Lee Haidsiak at 712-826-8472.

Aside from the private rental plots, Mullen said there will also be a large community plot, which anyone can help to grow. Produce collected from this garden will be donated to the area food bank and senior center. 

“A community garden isn’t necessarily a needed thing, but we felt it was a benefit to the city to encourage those who don’t have the space to get out and do some gardening,” Mullen said. “It will also be a way for us to help sustain our food bank.” 

A small orchard with fruit trees is also being developed in the area, and plans are in the works for a farmers market down the road. 

Mullen said exact rules and regulations for the garden are still being developed.

Water for the garden will be available free of charge from the City of Villisca.

The City will also be filling the raised plots with dirt and mulch, and Mullen said they will be ready for planting soon.