Gardening season may be well underway, but it’s never too late to let the community know about good things happening in their very own backyards – and one of those things is a community garden in Spanish Fork.
That’s right! Spanish Fork has a community garden that was started this past April for the purpose of allowing community members to learn from each other as they grow healthy food to bring home and donate to those in need.
According to garden director Tiffany Miller she began the garden as a way to give back to the community.
“Last year I was teaching a gardening class at the Spanish Fork Library and someone said they wished we had a community garden,” she recalled. “I love to spread the love of gardening and as a Utah State University Master Gardener, we have to volunteer yearly to keep our status so I thought getting a community garden in Spanish Fork would be a great use of my volunteer time.”
Miller explained that she first got in touch with Community Action Services, which is where she met volunteer coordinator Hillary Whittaker. Miller then contacted the city about donating property for the garden, and they agreed to donate the land north of the police station under the umbrella of Community Action Services. The grand opening of the garden was on April 22.
“We have had so many people donate their time to set up the fence, spread wood chips, build raised beds, fill the beds and many local businesses donated money or supplies,” she said. “It was amazing to see the community build this garden and I can’t wait to see how it grows.”
How does it work?
The way the garden works is that those interested in having their own garden plot, are able to rent one for $20 for each growing season. There are 40 raised beds available to rent. Renters need to follow the rules of the garden by volunteering 10 hours to weeding, watering and harvesting.
The garden also has six beds in the front for anyone to harvest from. Three beds contain strawberries and three have perennial herbs like oregano, sage, and thyme. There are also five beds growing food for Tabitha’s Way, four for the Spanish Fork Library Programs, two containing flowers only, and one bed for a local scout troop that has helped build the garden.
Miller said that volunteers are always needed.
“If anyone would like to volunteer in the garden, they can email sfutcommunitygarden@gmail.com and we can let them know what is needed at the time,’ she said.
The garden is located at 789 W Center Street in Spanish Fork in the field just North of the police station and near the farmer’s market.
