Mission
The Killingworth Community Gardens' mission is to provide residents with an opportunity to come together for the purpose of food production, environmental education and to encourage multi-generational gatherings. Individuals and groups at all levels of gardening expertise are welcome.
Funding
The community gardens are located on Town of Killingworth property and are therefore
open to residents. Plot registration fees are used for general maintenance.
Rep. Brian O' Connor secured a $10,000 grant from the State of Connecticut in
February 2008 to pay for start-up costs. The budget submitted for that grant
included purchase and installation of a solar powered pump, perimeter deer fencing,
soil improvements and miscellaneous costs. A $250 mini-grant from Youth and Family
Services of Haddam and Killingworth, Inc. awarded in March 2008 will be used
for gardening supplies, plants and in general to promote the community's wealth
in people, things, services, and resources.
About the Land
The town-owned property at 465 Route 81(map), recently renamed Parmelee Farm (formerly the Bosco Property), is 133 acres of
passive recreation land purchased by the town in 2000 for $650,000. The land
abuts the Cockaponset State Forest. The gardens are located on a homestead that
most recently was used as a turkey farm. The initial layout of the gardens has 24 - 20ft x 20ft plots.
About the Soil
April 6, 2008: One wheelbarrow full of horse manure per plot was rototilled in. There is plenty more left on-site for individual gardeners to put on their plots.
April 5, 2008: ~16lbs of 10-10-10 fertilizer applied to each 20x20 plot.
March 16, 2008: Applied 45lbs of Mir-A-Cal pelletized calcium fertilizer
October 2007: Soil testing from the University of Connecticut
Department of Plant Science has provided a soil nutrient analysis.
April 5, 2008: ~16lbs of 10-10-10 fertilizer applied to each 20x20 plot.
March 16, 2008: Applied 45lbs of Mir-A-Cal pelletized calcium fertilizer
- pH - 5.3
- Calcium - 1244 lbs/acre (below optimum)
- Magnesium - 124 lbs/acre (below optimum)
- Phosphorus - 1 lbs/acre (below optimum)
- Potassium 143 lbs/acre (below optimum)
- Limestone: (ground, granular, pulverized or pelleted) Apply 90 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. to raise the pH level. Have your soil retested in 3-4 years. Apply half the lime in the spring and half in the fall.
- Fertilizer: Soil test values for both phosphorus and potassium are below optimum. Before planting, incorporate 40 lbs. of 5-10-10 per 1000 sq. ft or the equivalent from other sources. If plants develop pale green to yellow color, sidedress with 3 lbs. of 10-6-4 or 10-10-10 per 100 ft. of row in late June or July. Apply next to the row about six inches from plants avoiding contact with foliage to prevent burning.
Soil texture classification: Sandy loam
Organic content classification: Medium Lime and Fertilizer Recommendations: Flowers (perennials, annuals, bulbs and ornamental grass)
- Limestone: (ground, granular, pulverized or pelleted) Apply 10 lbs. per 100 sq. ft. to raise the pH level. Have your soil retested in 3-4 years.
- Fertilizer: Soil test values for both phosphorus and potassium are below optimum. Before planting, incorporate 4 lbs. of 5-10-10 per 100 sq. ft or the equivalent from other sources.
Soil texture classification: Sandy loam
Organic content classification: Medium
