Staff, Faculty to Plant Community Garden

Wesleyan faculty and staff are growing a community.

This summer, up to 50 employees have the opportunity to maintain their own plot in a Wesleyan Community Garden at Long Lane Farm.

“We hope that the community garden will promote local growing and give people the space to grow their own produce,” says Bill Nelligan, director of environmental health, safety and sustainability.  “We will be planting alongside the student garden which will facilitate a growing atmosphere.”

Each plot measures 10 by 15 feet. Plot fees are $50 and include fence upkeep, annual soil amendments and community tools.

Each gardener is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of their garden plot. Watering, weeding, harvesting and any other garden related maintenance are all the responsibility of the gardener. Gardeners may arrange for other gardeners to water their plots.

A limited number of tools, hoses and watering equipment will be available in the community garden storage shed for use during non-scheduled work times. Each gardener will be given one key to the garden and the storage bin for access to tools and watering equipment.

Children are welcome in the garden but must be accompanied by an adult and must be supervised at all times.

In addition to maintaining their own gardens, employees are expected to help during the season with general chores. These may include site maintenance, phone calls, mailings, plot assignments, path maintenance, construction projects, watering, annual planting, fall cleanup, composting and social events.

Only organic fertilizing techniques are allowed.

For more information e-mail Bill Nelligan at wnelligan@wesleyan.edu.