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Master Gardners get hands dirty with community garden project February 21, 2008 - No reporter cited

Jim Pinson
Editor

NASHVILLE – Red Dirt Master Gardener member Debra Bolding shared with Nashville Rotarians about the Nashville Demonstration Organic Garden that is being built beside the Howard County Health Department.

Nashville Mayor Mike Reese introduced Bolding by explaining that the Economic Development Commission had discussed a farmers’ market in Nashville. A little while later, Bolding approached Reese with a plan to start a farmers’ market and community garden that would be constructed and maintained by Master Gardeners.

Reese told Rotarians that the city is seeking a $30,000 grant to construct the building for the market.

Bolding, a Master Gardener in 2004, met with Lanie Snow, chairman of the Veggie Swap Committee, to get the community garden project under way.

Red Dirt Master Gardening Club is looking to build a low maintenance garden that will provide fresh produce for local senior adults.

There are eight master gardeners in Howard County, but there is no master gardening program. The members from Howard County attend meetings and workshops in Miller County.

Bolding said the main purpose of the garden is to grow fresh produce for senior citizens and to provide demonstration opportunities for developing organic home gardens.

Bolding listed all the groups and organizations that are involved in the development of the garden.

Red Dirt Master Gardeners, Howard County Health Improvement Commission, Howard County, Howard County Health Department, City of Nashville, Howard County Sheriff’s office, Senior Outreach Program, Senior Citizen Center, Nashville FFA, Howard County Cooperative Extension Office and area businesses and individuals.

Seeds of Change and Seed Savers Exchange has donated 750 packets of seeds for use in the garden.

The garden beds will all be raised with a drip irrigation system. There will be no row beds, but there will be a fence to help keep out pest of the two and four legged variety. The raised beds will allow for deeper soil and better drainage. The drip irrigation system will conserve water.

The garden will also be constructed in a way that will allow for wheelchair accessibility. 

Bolding said that an emphasis has been placed on low maintenance in the gardening and design concepts. Bolding said that the Red Dirt Gardeners will use intensive, inter and companion planting.

Ed Sharp donated a cedar Bluebird House for the new garden. Others that have donated time, supplies and money are: Tony Fatherree Sand and Gravel, R&J Supply, Crete Cast Products, Old Columbus Herb Farm, Nashville FFA, Farmers’ Association, Paul Ray Trucking, US Pawn and Deaton Oil.

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