Payson Community Garden Getting Ready To Sprout
Garden administrators Linda Croy and Roger Kreimeyer said opening day would include an orientation to the garden to explain its inner workings as well as tours.
New this year? Visit www.paysoncommunitygardenaz.com.
The website has the class schedule, plot sign-ups and a recommended list of plants and seeds that do best in the Rim Country environment.
The two also said that as of Friday, Feb. 20, only two-dozen plots and two raised beds remain unclaimed.
“We’ve sold 122,” said Roger.
The cost remains the same, $60, which includes a plot six feet wide by approximately 25 feet long, soil, compost, and access to water.
Glen McCombs of Plant Fair Nursery has again donated a truckload of compost. “An expensive donation,” said Roger.
Gardeners are responsible for providing a drip system, keeping their plot and surrounding area free of weeds along with any garden or flowering plants they wish to plant.
Since it is a Community Garden, garden organizers ask members to put in a couple of workdays a season to help keep the garden in shape.
Other volunteer opportunities include Garden Mentors who wear green caps and wander around, available to answer any questions.
The Maintenance Crew keeps the tools working. Garden Monitors make sure the garden is safe while the gates are open. The carpentry crew works on various wood-working projects, the painters keep them looking nice. Some like to volunteer to keep the butterfly garden lush, while others dedicate themselves to making sure the water always flows.
The Community Garden always welcomes donations of horse, cow, llama and chicken manure.
“Chicken manure is really good,” said Linda.
Kreimeyer said the Community Garden classes are open to all residents, even if they do not have a plot in the garden. Classes will be held either at the Church of the Nazarene (200 E. Tyler Pkwy.) or at the Garden (300 E. Tyler Pkwy.), weather permitting. Check for a sign on Tyler Parkway to indicate which location holds will hold the class.
“Come learn to become a better gardener,” said Roger.
Roger said the Garden welcomes residents and visitors, during the hours the garden is open, to come sit and enjoy the butterfly garden or wander the plots to find inspiration anytime.
During the months of March and April, the garden will only be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Once May hits, the garden will be open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. until 11 a.m. and again from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Saturdays, the garden will remain open all day from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Sundays everyone takes a rest.
For more information or to inquire about a plot, please call Linda Croy at (928) 951-0543.
Garden Classes
9 a.m. at the Church of the Nazarene (200 E. Tyler Parkway) or the Community Garden (300 E. Tyler Parkway)
March 7 – Opening ceremony and orientation by Roger, cover/shade structures/garden etiquette/garden.
March 14 – Soil preparation, organic fertilizer and irrigation systems by Glen McCombs.
March 21 – Planning your garden (when/what to plant, seeds/disease resistance, row covers, intensive gardening, diagram exercise). First work day of the season. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
March 28 – Getting started: seed and transplanting techniques (cold crops): How to and Basics by Renee Zeising (tips for the website) (Classroom/Garden).