This year promises to be an exciting and productive for our SI Moravian Community Garden. With funds given in memory of Cindi Garner by family, friends, and the SI Rotary, we are making some major changes to the garden. These changes have been designed by Glen Cutrona, an architect and close friend of Cindi’s.
The Community Garden is located behind the Castleton Hill Moravian Church parsonage. The garden currently consists of thirty-one 4 by 4 foot plots and growing space along a fence. Two-thirds of the garden plots are designated for Project Hospitality and one-third for individual gardeners. Volunteer gardners contribute time to the Project Hospitality plots in return for the use of the individual garden plots. We use the gardening techniques described in Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholemew.
It was always one of Cindi Garner’s dreams that part of the garden would be handicap accessible. During our last season together before her death, we also talked about adding some apple trees. So, here’s what's been happening. The old garden beds have been taken out. New beds made with wider frames have been constructed; a path connecting the two main sections of the garden is being built, and the surfacing around the garden beds will be changed from wood chips to crushed stone. The entrance into the garden will be handicap accessible and there will be two large raised planting beds. Gardeners who don't want to bend or who work from wheelchairs will be able to use those plots. In addition to those changes, a permanent irrigation system will be put in and five apple trees will be planted.
Along with the all the changes, several things won’t change. We’ll still be sending produce to Project Hospitality. Last year we sent 835 pounds to that feeding ministry. We’ll still be offering plots to individual gardeners to grow their own produce in exchange for helping us care for the Project Hospitality plots. We’ll still be enjoying the company of great friends and the joy of seeing God’s good creation at work all around us.
If you would like to volunteer or simply learn more about SI Moravian Community Garden, please call the Castleton Hill Moravian Church office, 718-442-5215. If you know anyone else who might be interested, please pass the word around. We welcome gardeners who want to work with us at all levels. Gardeners can simply come to assist or they take a personal plot and make a commitment to participate regularly in the work of the garden throughout the growing season. Our major work parties this spring will be on May 3rd, 10th, and 17th all from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
On June 29th, we’ll be dedicating the improvements to the garden with an outdoor worship service and cookout on the lawn behind the Castleton Hill Moravian Church parsonage. Come that day and meet many of Cindi’s family and friends. It will be a great day to celebrate her life and the continuation of our garden ministry.
Community Garden
Our thanks to Castleton Hill Moravian for coordinating this project and sharing these photos.