Looking to Spring and the Promise of a Garden

While winter’s chill will soon be upon us; there is a group of local residents planning for spring and summer. If you have not already heard, plans are underway for a community vegetable garden.

It was over five years ago when Trustee Hilton and I stood behind the Winona Hotel on Bay Ave (soon to become the home of the Village Parks and Recreation Department) and said to ourselves, wouldn’t this be a great spot for a community vegetable garden? Well, it does seem that the stars have aligned and the long hoped for garden will become a reality this spring.

We were recently approached by village resident Michael West; he inquired as to whether we had ever considered a community vegetable garden? When we replied yes in fact we had, he kindly offered to head up the project.

Through his contact with the local Cornell Co-operative Extension staff we have learned that indeed there is grant money available. They even have a garden educator on staff!  

A commitment of support has been secured from them for both monetary and planning assistance. The Co-operative Extension has partnered on a number of gardens; most recently in downtown Riverhead. Our garden would be the first for them in the Town of Brookhaven.

The Patchogue Community Garden is seeking interested residents who would like to participate and help us plan, build, plant and maintain an abundant garden. With an initial 20-30 raised beds this will be a place where apartment dwellers and others can reap the fruits and vegetables of their labors!

If you are interested in more information and to be kept abreast of our progress please email Michael West at patcomgarden@gmail.com or check us out at Patchogue Community Garden on Facebook.