Undoubtedly one of the most quoted challenges associated with starting and sustaining a community garden is obtaining access to water. We now have access to water at ALL 3 of our garden sites! Yeahhh! In our two rural garden sites, Wagram and Lewiston, the initial process was relatively easy once we knew who to ask. City water was tapped from a nearby road and spigots were installed. After receiving the first few water bills though, we realized that we may need to rethink our strategy!
At Briggs Garden in Durham, however, a more urban site, it took months to raise enough money to dig a water well and buy a pump (determined to be necessary given the garden location and most sustainable over the long term), have the well dug, and connect the well pump to electricity. The project started well before the beginning of summer and finally just this month I saw water being pumped out of the ground at the garden site for the first time! Although the water didn't arrive in time for this summer's crop, it will be readily available next spring - a welcome thought to community gardeners like Amy and Ted who had to water their summer crop this year by bringing water from home in a cooler!
Another piece of infrastructure we are extremely proud of that was installed at all 3 of the community gardens is something every community garden could use - a bulletin board kiosk that can double as a garden sign. Master gardener Steve Arnold from Durham used his crafty workmanship and built all three beautiful kiosks. Thanks Steve! Garden coordinators are already posting information for the community gardeners and plans are being made to paint the back sides as garden signs.
 |
| Kiosk in Lewiston Community Garden, Bertie County |
 |
| Bulletin board kiosk in Wagram, Scotland County |
 |
| Steve at Briggs Avenue Garden, Durham County |
No comments:
Post a Comment