What do you get when you join committed volunteers, generous businesses, and a responsive town department? A Granby Community Garden to be very proud of!
The community garden, on land owned by the town, is located on Hungary Road adjacent to Ahrens Park. The garden, completely self-supporting, does not receive town funds for its operation. The garden has 80 20-feet by 20-feet plots that are rented for the growing season at a bargain price of $10 per plot.
There is a shed with shared tools, a composting station and ample water. Master gardening skills are not a pre-requisite because eclectic gardens grow beside expertly staked tomato plant plots. The plots include many flower varieties, corn, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, carrots, potatoes, radishes, beans, melons, squash, broccoli, onions and more. When in bloom, giant yellow sunflowers on the garden perimeter create a joyful environment.
Many people shared their expertise and energy to help create a more beautiful community garden. Jim Glenney managed the garden for many years and advocated with devoted gardeners to keep it for the benefit of town residents. Deborah Roe, the current garden manager, has a vision of making improvements to the property and several projects have recently been completed.
Last year the Rotary Club of Simsbury-Granby provided a $1,000 expense reimbursement grant to the garden based upon the plan submitted by Skip Morgan. Morgan also created a pollinator garden, with some contributions from Debbie Crosset and others, in two plots with Black-eyed Susan, Queen Anne’s lace, cone flowers and other perennials. It quickly buzzed with hungry pollinators.
Improving the garden in 2023 involved basic infrastructure projects. An incongruous mulch pile was relocated from the parking lot to an area preferred by Rotarian Steve Basile. Basile is the owner of Clear Brook farm in Granby and used his own John Deere tractor to do the job.
A freshly painted bright burnt-orange information kiosk received a new roof by gardener Mark Roe. A creative new kiosk sign was designed by Deborah Roe. Invasive plants and dead trees were removed from the front of the garden with help from the town. Compost bins were built using pallets and donated hardware materials with the help of gardener Paul Doyle.
Over the winter new plot number identification stakes were made. Significant improvement to the garden road was completed with milling provided by the town and grading by Steve Basile. Stuart Young with Granby Department of Public Works has been very responsive with road improvements. Brush clearing and a new blueberry plot were accomplished with the help of gardeners John Warn and Paul Doyle.
Upon completion of the infrastructure projects, the gardeners sought to enhance the beauty and enjoyment of the garden. This spring, gardeners received a generous shrub donation from the Monrovia Nursery Company that now lines the front of the garden. Lisa Vibert, a Monrovia employee, has provided blueberry and other plants for the garden.
Maximum Tree Service, a Granby-based tree removal specialist, made donations of garden path wood chips. The town removed stumps at the front of the garden and a new flower bed has been constructed. Deborah Roe has designed a new entrance sign with installation targeted by June 30. Crosset, who maintains perennial flowers at the front of the garden, helped create an area for picnic tables. Sandy Flagg at Waste Not Want Not Community Kitchen, a tireless advocate for building a sense of community through the simple act of sharing a meal, graciously donated picnic tables so folks could enjoy the harvest. The two picnic tables were delivered by gardeners Donna and David Suzenski. David also delivered compost for use in the front flower bed.
The Granby Community Garden offers a wonderful sense of community as people share seeds, plants and tips for gardening success for those not blessed with green thumbs! We had a great turnout at a recent garden “workday” in which gardeners pitched in to reline the chip paths, clear plots and run the tiller. Our Community Garden has been greatly enhanced by the dedication of gardeners, private businesses and our town.
Come join us — plots are still available for this year! To learn more about the garden contact: GranbyGarden@gmail.com. An application for a plot can be found at planeteandme.com.