In 2008 the District began its community garden endeavor. The District received a request by a local Warren resident about the possibility of the District having community garden plots that citizens could rent just like the State Hospital used to have at the Farm Colony site. The District thought this was a great idea and pursued it in the next growing season.

The first step was to figure out a location and how many plots to start with. Due to renters needing good access to their plots the present location was selected. An entrance off of Hatch Run Road was already present and the area was not being used for any other purpose or project so it was deemed the location of the gardens.

In 2008 the District started with 10 garden plots that were 25’ x 25’. The District charges $25.00 for each plot to offset costs of materials for the layout and for the preparation of the soil by plowing and tilling.

The summer of 2008 was a hot dry one which was an obstacle for renters since they have to provide their own water. Even with these conditions folks had some very nice gardens that would make some jealous.

Because of the success of the gardens in 2008 and the interest generated, the District decided to expand the garden plots for the 2009 season. The gardens were expanded from ten plots in 2008 to eighteen plots in 2009.  Hopefully in 2010 a few more plots will be added to accommodate those folks who didn’t get a plot in 2009.  Overall the community gardens have been a great success for the District and at the same time people are getting their hands dirty, getting outdoors, and growing some of their own produce. There is nothing better than enjoying something you grew on your own that never traveled hundreds of miles, was packaged and frozen, or was sprayed with who knows what for preservatives. It is very rewarding watching something grow from seed to table.

Unfortunately in 2009 the weather was rainy, cool, and rainy. These factors caused our very first garden issue that was a real sad problem. Due to the weather conditions Late Blight was a major factor on this year’s tomato crop and also got some potatoes too. Late Blight killed most of the tomatoes that people had planted that were growing quite nicely. This fungal blight is the same blight that caused the start of the potato famine in September of 1845 in Ireland.