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. New gardener registration is scheduled for Sunday, April 1st from 4-5:30 PM; Monday, April 2nd from 8-10 AM and Tuesday, April 3rd from 8-10 AM.. Contact Peg Scofield (203.641.2341) if you need more information. We welcomed more than 20 new gardeners in 2011 and filled 50+ plots. Volunteers donated a significant amount of produce to the local food pantries. Gardener led projects included a butterfly garden, a plot for food pantry donations, a flower border in front of the gardens, a cutting garden and expansion of the cutting herb gardens. Believe it or not, we have SOLD OUT all available plots for 2010. We had 59 available plus three muddy plots in the front garden we will be trying to bring back. They will be made available to returning or current gardeners and then those who sign up for the wait list. We have planned a second start up meeting for March 30 to review our goals and tasks or the upcoming season. It was determined at our February meeting that after-sun watering was important to many gardeners so we will purchase water tanks for storage. It was also decided that the two shady plots in the front garden would make a wonderful community herb garden. The Girl Scout Troop has again offered to make weekly deliveries to the Shoreline Food Pantry in Clinton. More to be determined at the March meeting. UPDATE 10/1/2009: The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Food Pantries reported that we donated 269lbs of produce.
UPDATE 5/27/2009: To date we have 46 plots registered in the gardens this season and expect the adjacent middle school to break ground on its plot soon. A wonderful mix of youth, adults and seniors. The new field has a water outlet from the main well, supplied by the solar pump and the deer fence and gates are nearly completed. The three committees; shed and leisure areas, plots and paths and fencing are still getting organized as groups, but individuals are stepping forward to help with garden-wide projects. Community volunteers continue to be a vital part of our project's success.
UPDATE 3/5/2009: We had strong interest from returning gardeners, with several who shared a plot last year, registering for their own this season. Two gardeners whose plots had shade issues, requested to move to new plots. After the February startup meeting, there were three plots available for new registration, including the two shadier plots. A plan for expansion to a nearby field was discussed and it will be determined after the April 4th registration date if there is enough interest and help to prepare the new field. The gardeners have planned an April 18th spring cleanup day. The garden coordinator is looking into a battery backup system for the solar water pump. The fee was raised from $20 to $30 this year to cover expenses. The first year of gardening was a great success. All plots were taken and gardeners planted a wide range of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs. We were able to donate 195lbs of produce to the Shoreline Soup Kitchen. The gardeners held a Harvest Dinner in early October to gather with new friends, compare gardening techniques and enjoy the serene atmosphere. The community gardens are located on Town of Killingworth property and are therefore open to residents. Plot registration fees are used for general maintenance and improvements. 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. The town-owned property at 465 Route 81(map), recently renamed Parmelee Farm (formerly the Bosco Property), is 131 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.