- November 28, 2024
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The Ormond Beach Community Garden at 601 Hammock Lane in Central Park is in full bloom with gardeners enjoying practically every vegetable you can think of, from beans to zucchini. Master Gardener Karen Diedo said she has lived in California, and more recently in St. Augustine, and is very impressed and inspired by the local garden.
“I’ve never seen this level of commitment,” she said. “These people are in it to win it. It’s a very vibrant and dedicated group.”
Diedo, a member of the volunteer Garden Committee, was at the site May 7 to give a presentation on recipes for fresh vegetables. She also explained how to grow garlic, which she said was very easy to grow and used in every recipe she handed out.
The spring weather is allowing gardeners to enjoy tomatoes, squash, lettuce, peppers, radishes, egg plants, collards, arugula, kale, cabbage, and even strawberries.
Also enjoying them are some squirrels, which have figured out how to get in, but gardeners are hanging tin plates to scare them off.
Brittany McDermott, recreation program specialist, said there is a mixture of beginners and experienced gardeners who share their knowledge.
Arlene North, gardener, gave an example of advice that helped out. She said she was having trouble with zucchini and someone suggested spreading egg shells for more calcium and it worked very well.
“It’s relaxing when you’re gardening,” she said. “It’s good to eat nutritious food and my family likes it.”
Srijesh Sridharan and his family were excited to see that their sunflower had bloomed. Their tomato plants were doing well, though still small, because they had been grown from seeds.
“We stop by every day,” he said. He pointed out however, that it’s not necessary to visit often because the plots are watered with a drip irrigation system that is on a timer.
There is a waiting list for the garden, and the all-volunteer Community Garden Committee has started plans for a second garden that they hope will be ready early next year for spring planting.
It will have 30 plots, same as the current garden. (Two plots are for demonstrations.) Those on the waiting list will get first chance at the new garden.
County residents pay $30 for a one-year lease and others pay $45.
The committee learned a lot from the first garden and the members are carefully planning the next one.
“We’re beginning to create a timeline to make it successful,” McDermott aid.
They receive some support from the city, but need sponsors and donations to buy materials.
Contact McDermott at [email protected]. On Facebook, visit City of Ormond Beach Community Garden.
