Zelie community garden heading into 4th year
ZELIENOPLE — A community garden has continued to grow in its fourth year as it teaches area residents the joys of gardening while helping to provide food for those in need.
The Oak Grove Community Garden has entered it fourth year with more plots and programs than ever.
“We have a problem now: we’re running out of land,” said Tom Applequist, community garden president. “That’s a good problem to have. We never imagined anything like this so quickly. When we started with 18 (plots) we were just tickled pink with that. We really started from scratch.”
The garden now boasts 60 plots, four beehives, a shed full of equipment and a pavilion complete with electric lights and seating donated by the community.
Much of what the gardeners grow is donated to those in need.
Salvation Army volunteer Ron Swogger stops by every Monday to collect the donated produce.
The food goes to help families in need in Beaver County.
Gardeners are under no obligation to donate anything they grow, though many do.
“You can donate some; you can donate all; you can donate none; it's all up to you,” Applequist said. “If you donate everything you don't have to pay the $20 fee.”
The fee, paid annually to reserve a plot, all goes back into the garden.
The garden is always looking for new people to join and learn the joys of community gardening.
No knowledge of gardening is required, and the community garden is happy to help newcomers learn.
To contact the community garden to reserve a plot or for more information, email them at oglcgarden@gmail.com or follow them on the Facebook.
A full story will appear in the Butler Eagle.
