The seeds of a new community garden are about to be planted in Yorkton.
At least that is the hope of Warren Crossman, the man behind the garden’s rebirth.
“There was a community garden a number of years ago,” he explained, adding the plot of land on the Yorkton Alliance Church property has been left to the weeds the last couple of years.
“I was not aware of that until late last summer when I took a trip over there,” he said.
Crossman said he had been involved in the early planning stages of the garden a number of years back, and seeing the land covered in weeds did a bit of digging last fall in terms of what he might do to regenerate the concept of a community garden.
After a chat with the pastor at the church, Crossman said he decided to “think about it over the winter.”
As the calendar turned Crossman said he again met with the pastor to ensure the land was still available to use as a community garden plot, and then with a volunteer with a water tank who had previously left the tank filled near the garden for participant use. The church was still willing to provide the land, and the water tank was also available, so Crossman said he decided to take on the project.
“I’m proposing to revitalize the community garden,” he said, adding “I’m taking the initiative on my own.”
The next step will be a meeting May 10, at the Alliance Church starting at 7 p.m., to gauge interest from the public.
Crossman said the meeting is for people wanting to access some of the garden space to grow vegetable, “as well as anybody who wants to be a mentor.” He said it would be an asset to have experienced gardeners involved to help those who might be new to the practice.
As for how big an area a person might be able to access, Crossman said that will depend on interest. Five people would mean larger plots, 10 smaller.
“We’ll determine that as people show up,” he said.
Crossman said anyone can apply for a plot, adding many people “live in spaces that don’t have a garden.”
While there will not be a rental charge for the land Crossman said he does plan to have participants sign a ‘gardener’s agreement’ which basically states they will maintain the plot, will weed the plot and so on.
There is even some tools of the trade available for gardeners to use, although Crossman said they could use some additional hoes and rakes.
Crossman said he would certainly take donations if someone was interested, adding he is also on the look-out for a couple of benches for the garden plot so participants can take a break from the task of gardening.
Once established again Crossman hopes the people involved work to grow not just vegetables, but the project.
“The garden will be somewhat self-directed,” he said, adding he foresees a community building up based on interaction among those involved in their individual plots, leading to an evolution of the site “based on the needs of the gardeners.”
And Crossman said there is more church property which they can access to grow the garden, something he sees as reasonable moving forward.
“The church is very gracious if we need to expand,” he said.
In addition to the garden plots for vegetables, Crossman said apple trees were planted a few years back and they are just starting to produce fruit people can access.
And, he has someone willing to donate haskap berry bushes to be planted at the site.
Crossman said he also hopes that workshops could grow out of the project covering things such as how to preserve the fruit, or potentially to cook different cuisines with the vegetables grown, especially with the church having a kitchen they could utilize.
A harvest meal is also planned for the fall.
“It’s a feature I’m really, really looking forward to as a wrap up to the community garden,” he said.
Anyone wanting more information can contact Crossman by calling 306-782-3249.
