The Sanborn Donation/Community Garden group hosted the first meeting of the 2021 gardening season on March 9. Attending the meeting via Zoom were Karen Appleton, Cassie Manwarren, Jan Snyder, Kaitlyn Stewart, Brad Tebben and Phil Westra.
The 2020 gardening season was discussed. Overall, the group thought that everything went as well as could be expected given Covid-19. Outside of the six donation garden plots and the zinnia plot, there were 20 other plots for community gardeners.
Discussion moved to the “2021 Rules for the Row” contract. Contracts for interested community members may now be picked up at the Sanborn City Office. The contracts must be returned by Monday, May 3. Garden assignments will be made as contracts are received.
The garden received an ISU Growing Together Grant 2021 to purchase seed for the donation garden, as well as composting and weed control materials. Signage will also be provided along with a mailbox for materials from ISU Extension regarding produce preparation and recipes for gardeners.
The group is also asking community members to contribute any of their excess produce for the agencies they are working with: Love Inc., Sheldon; Upper Des Moines, Primghar; and the Food Bank of Siouxland. More information will be provided on this effort as they get further into the growing season.
Phil Westra and Brad Tebben will work together to secure materials to construct a five-bin composting system for the garden. Each gardener is highly encouraged to come to an informational meeting at the garden on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. This event is also open to community members who are interested in composting.
The group recognized the importance of staying on top of weeds from the get-go. Grant funds will be used to purchase additional tarp to go around the external perimeter of the garden. Volunteers will be needed to lay the tarp and mulch. The group hopes to get mulch from the City of Sanborn yard waste site this year.
A conversation with the City regarding more efficient water access to the garden is underway. There may be potential to access O’Brien County grant funds for this project.