New Community Garden Sprouts

Dick Rothschild

Clipper columnist

In sixty days or fewer, with a little luck, 16 gardeners will be able to plant broccoli, kale, lettuce, parsley, onions and/or potatoes, on a plot in the new Duxbury Community Garden.  All this, thanks to the vision and persistence of members of Sustainable Duxbury, the commitment of the Stewart Family Foundation to have its land used to benefit others and the thoughtful cooperation of John McCluskey, the Foundation’s administrator.

The new Community Garden is ideally located in a sunny part of a small historic working farm at 66 Bayridge Ln., not far from Hall’s Corner. Like similar projects in other communities, it will consist of a single piece of land gardened collectively by its members on their own individual plots. Well water for irrigation and some off street parking will be available.

Participating gardeners can look forward to benefits beyond fresh, organically grown produce and the satisfaction of growing it with their own labor. It’s a way to experience both a fuller sense of community and a closer connection to the environment. Some of the benefits Duxbury Garden Members can anticipate are:

The ability to, more affordably, enjoy fresh wholesome produce.      

The joy of growing one’s own food and being able to donate what one doesn’t consume to those less fortunate.

The knowledge that one is helping our community become less reliant on fossil fuels (used to power farm machinery and transport produce from distant agricultural locations).

Improved health from eating more fresh vegetables and, by growing them, getting more exercise.

An attractive place away from home to recharge your batteries, make new friends, share knowledge and interests.

Gardening in the Community Garden may be more rewarding than doing so on your own property if it is tree shaded, has poor soil, too much sun, poor drainage, or is too hilly or noisy.

The Duxbury Community Garden will be surrounded with a four foot high fence and will contain 12-16 individual plots.  Each plot will be 10’ x 20’ in size. The registration fee for a plot for the season is $50, payable at the time of registration. Common sense garden rules have been established to assure a pleasurable experience for gardeners and respect for the Garden’s neighbors. 

If you wish to work an area smaller than 10’ x 20’ you may arrange to share your plot with another gardener, but the $50 fee needs be paid by a single registrant.

You don’t have to be an experienced gardener to join. Even if you have never planted or harvested a vegetable or grown a flower you can be assured of help from volunteers, “old hands,” who have already signed up to work with first time gardeners. 

The Duxbury Community garden is the brainchild of Sustainable Duxbury member Anne Baird who sums up its appeal this way, “What better way to enjoy the summer in a delightful and peaceful spot, growing the best and freshest vegetables you have ever tasted, because you grew them!”

For more information or to apply for a plot, call Jim Savicki at 781-585-8047. Jim will get an application form and copy of garden rules to you pronto.  But don’t put it off and miss out. As I submit this column, applications have already been received for 10 of the plots.