MILLSTONE — Let it grow! That is what participants in the Millstone Community Garden did and now they are celebrating a successful first year that has continued to blossom and bloom.
Anne Haines, a founding member of the Millstone Community Garden, said she is planning a potluck dinner to mark the first year of the community group.
The community garden was created on a 10-acre parcel next to the United Presbyterian Church of Millstone Township, Millstone Road. Volunteers from the church and the Master Gardeners of Monmouth County started the garden in the spring.
Haines said the most significant accomplishment of the community garden thus far was donating 100 pounds of produce to the Freehold Open Door Food Pantry in Freehold Borough. She expects the donation of produce to the food pantry to exceed 200 pounds by the end of the summer.
The pantry’s operators “are very happy to have the produce,” Haines said.
Evelin Gaffney, representing the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County, said she was impressed by Haines’ efforts.
“Anne is the most extraordinary part of the garden,” Gaffney said. “Her knowledge, enthusiasm and leadership made it happen in record time. It was my pleasure to collaborate with her.”
Gaffney has been involved in establishing community gardens throughout Monmouth County since 2008.
“A dedicated group of master gardeners have taken ownership of three Plant a Row for the Hungry plots,” she said. “These plots provide produce to local food pantries and an opportunity to educate the gardeners.”
In the future, the gardeners will be planting fall crops including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, onions, peas, radishes, lettuce and other vegetables that do well in cooler weather, so the gardening season has not ended, Haines said.
Infante Farms, Upper Freehold Township, has donated spinach seeds. The gardeners are cultivating figs and hope to add more fruit such as blueberries and raspberries, and herbs, Haines said. Other possibilities include rhubarb and more asparagus.
Haines said she believes the community garden achieved the significant goal of bringing people together.
“In Millstone Township, it can be difficult to get to know your neighbors,” Haines said. “That’s one reason the church wanted to do the garden, as an outreach project.”
When the garden started, some nine gardeners from Millstone were each given an individual plot. There is room for four more gardeners to each have their own too, Haines said.
Some 72 children from Vacation Bible School planted flowers during the summer.
Haines said the community garden will continue to evolve as time goes on. In the future, they will make the paths narrower and the plots larger to have less weeding and more growing space.
“I think pretty much anyone can have a green thumb,” Haines said. “You just need to pay attention to the plants and what they look like. They will let you know. My husband says I talk to them! Having gardening mentors like the Master Gardeners helps. They are very generous with their knowledge and time.”