The Community Garden Project
Norrie Park Community Garden
In 2002,
Norrie
Park became home to a new gardening concept in the
Upper peninsular. The "Community Garden" project became a
reality through the combine efforts of the Range Master Gardener Association and
the Michigan State University Extension Service. The land was loaned to the
project by the City of Ironwood. Finance was provided through an F.I.A. grant
obtained by Gogebic-Ontonagon Community Action Agency.
First
the 1/3 acre of land had to be cleared. This was done by The Range Master
Gardeners and a community corrections crew. Rocks were removed and a trench was
dug to allow for a pipe needed to bring water from a distant hydrant to
the water storage tank . Afterwards, amendments were added to the soil in
readiness to lay out the plots.
RMG
volunteer adds chicken manure to the soil. Soon the plots measuring
approximately 15' x 10' will be laid out and made available to the public.
Low-income families can get a free plot, seeds and fertilizer. Others pay
a small fee. In 2004 the fee was $25. for one plot or $40. for two plots. RMG
volunteers are available for gardening advice.
Master Gardeners prepare to install new nylon fencing to protect the crops from
resident deer and other wildlife. A 3' high chicken wire fence was added to the
bottom of the deer fence to discourage neighborhood rabbits from chowing down on
delicious crops within.
A large variety of crops are being grown at the Community Garden. The most
popular planting is Tomatoes. Peppers, squashes, cabbages, broccoli, both
pole and bush beans, carrots and potatoes are among the other crops found within
the garden. To discourage insects some marigolds are planted as companion
plants.
In
the fall RMG volunteers and community gardeners clear the crop residue from
garden. Acceptable residue is shredded and added to the compost pile. RMG
volunteers also collect bags of leaves from around the community and add those
leaves to the garden as mulch and will later be tilled into the soil
.