Lakewood
Lakewood Garden is located just behind Lakewood Elementary School, to the southwest side. To get to the garden from Jackson Road, take Gralake south until it ends at the school. Lakewood is a perennial community garden, which means the garden is not plowed at any point in the year. Non-plowing allows gardeners to grow things over a longer season.
SITE COORDINATOR: Mervyn Juchartz
MAP OF GARDEN: Lakewood Map
INDIVIDUAL PLOT MAINTENANCE: All gardeners are responsible for keeping weeds down on their plots and along the adjacent pathways. Various mulches may be used in your garden to inhibit weed growth, conserve water, and promote a hospitable microclimate for plants and worms. Marsh hay is usually available in the spring, delivered to the garden from a local grower for a reasonable fee. If interested in learning more about marsh hay deliveries or for more information about mulching, contact your site coordinator or the office.
GARDEN MAINTENANCE: We are guests on this property. As such, we ask that you do not throw rocks or other debris into the mowed areas; instead, put rocks on the rock pile at the end of the garden. Please take all non-organic waste (plastic, fencing, etc.) home with you when you leave the site. Gardeners will be asked to help maintain unused plots and common areas from time to time. Help make the gardens beautiful this summer by maintaining your own plot and keeping the gardens free from debris, etc.
ANIMALS: Since the garden is located near the woods (to the west), woodchucks and other animals may visit from time to time. If you fence, we recommend black/green plastic or wire fencing. For aesthetic reasons, please do not use orange construction fencing. For the best results, bury the fence 8" below ground and bend it away from the garden to stop animals digging underneath (remember to remove all fencing at the end of the season!).
WATER: Water is provided for a seasonal charge by Lakewood School. Hoses attach to a spigot on the side of the building near the playground. Uncoiled hoses can be a danger to the many children who frequent this area. Please be considerate and coil up the hoses on the hose reel after every use. Do not leave hoses on the grass, as they can be seriously damaged by mower blades. If you spot a leak in the hoselines, either make the repairs yourself or notify the site coordinator.
COMMUNICATION:This is a community garden, and as such, we will all have to help each other out to make sure that everything runs smoothly. Expect a few phone calls asking for assistance with volunteer tasks like mulching the paths or cleaning up at the end of the season. In recent years, we have also used the garden group email list to make important announcements. If you have not already notified us of your email address, let us know right away! Finally, newsletters will also contain important information about upcoming projects and events.
ABANDONED PLOTS: Plots that have not been seriously worked by May 31st or are overgrown with weeds taller than 1 1/2' at any point in the season will be considered abandoned and may be reassigned. Contact your site coordinator or the office if you are having problems getting started or if you have to abandon your plot.
FALL CLEAN-UP: Your plot must be cleared no later than the end of the day on Saturday, October 16th.
Perennial plots must still be put to rest for the winter. In the fall, non-organic items must be removed from the garden and dead organic material removed or chopped up to compost in your plot. Perennial plants or annual plants that have not been killed by frost may remain. If you know you will not be returning, take away your personal belongings and clear out your entire plot. Failure to clean your plot according to the guidelines set forth in the Gardening Agreement may result in expulsion from the garden.
Moving? Tell us! We mail out noticers during the year and they are not forwarded (third class mail).
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