So You Think You Have a Green Thumb?

The Northborough Community Gardens located on Valentine Road are experiencing a growth explosion as the vegetable season kicks off.

Ten garden plots (six feet by 12 feet) were started in 2011 with the help of a grant awarded by Metro West Community Foundation, which is the same grant that has assisted with the Building a Healthy Northborough initiative. Mike Strickland assisted with the building of the raised beds as part of his Eagle Scout project last year.

According to Allie Lane, this year, residents of Northborough have 30 plots, which will be the maximum number located at the site.

Some of the benefits of the garden plots are to reduce family food budgets, preserve green space, produce nutritious food, and stimulate social interactions.

Veena Venugopal, a first year gardener, stated, “I believe this fosters community spirit and teaches one about self-sustenance. The fruits of labor keep us motivated to come back. I cannot think of a con, it’s all good.”

Leslee Robinson has had her plot for two years and recently created a Facebook page to keep communication open between the plot owners. She also initiated a meet and greet among the gardeners and about eight people showed up just to chat. “It definitely has a community feel to it.”

There is a sense of working together. Diana Nicklaus-Garton's husband, a new plot owner this year, recently attended a Saturday get together at the gardens where fellow plot owners had coffee and weeded one empty plot together. 

Robinson really enjoys gardening. She used to do gardening at home but the area has now become too shaded. She continues to have flower gardens at home but uses her community plot for vegetables.

“The community gardens have a full day of sun,” she said. “I am growing four kinds of tomatoes, green beans and three varieties of peppers this year. The cooler weather crops of broccoli, kale and Swiss chard are just finishing up.” She’ll probably replace those with flowers.

She’s excited as the first of the tomatoes are beginning to ripen and has noticed that many crops are at least two weeks early. She notes that picking squash before the 4th of July is unusual, yet some people are already picking squash.

Venugopal said, “I love to grow plants, but I do not have the space at home to do it. The community garden was a great alternative and it actually is very gratifying to eat something that I grew myself.”

For her first year, Venugopal has kept her garden simple and is trying spinach, carrots, tomatoes, green peppers, green beans and chili peppers.

As any gardener knows, things rarely go 100 percent smoothly, especially for a new gardener who is learning the ropes of what works and what doesn’t.

“There is a learning curve, which is one of the great parts of the community aspect of the gardens,” said Robinson. “There is always someone to ask for advice and information to share.”

Even Robinson, a veteran gardener, has learned about plant placement to maximize the cast of the sun.

Venugopal doesn’t consider herself someone with a green thumb, and admits this has been a learning experience for her. “I think this experience has taught me some techniques that might help me develop a green thumb.”

There have been a few flops. “I tried okra during late spring, said Venugopal. “They never sprouted since it was too cold during April and May. I re-tried in June and now I have some growing strong. I have learned to be patient. I was impatient while planting carrots and did not space them right. So the carrots might not all come out that great. Lesson learned.”

In addition, there are always pests and fungi to combat. This year, Japanese beetles are out in full force and a lot of bunnies. Robinson has put a few beetle traps out around the gardens but the small bunnies are still finding their way into the gardens by squeezing under the fence.

“There has not been a lot of damage,” said Robinson. “The fencing does keep a lot out. We’ve been pretty lucky so far.”

Although Robinson’s daughter is grown, she does notice that many of the plot owners garden as a family with younger children. “There are a lot of kids helping out their parents. There are even grandparents who deliberately have the plot to garden with their grandkids.”

Venugopal’s 22 month old son enjoys helping her out. “I enjoy spending time with him and showing him the veggies growing in the garden. Getting him to eat the veggies is a different story.”

Nicklaus-Garton said her two young daughters loved helping their Dad plant everything. They have snow peas, lettuce, dill, basil, tomatoes, and carrots growing. Her girls do enjoy pcking and eating what they grow.

This year, there was a cost of $25 for each plot. Lane explained that this covers the cost of water and “the water fee is based on the cost of water from the previous year.”

There are a few rules to follow such as the plot owner must maintain their garden all summer, assist with fall cleanup, be careful of not growing tall crops that might shade other plots, and limit the use of fertilizers, insecticides and weed repellents that will affect other plots.

Lane also recognizes that many of the gardeners have put a lot of time, effort and money into their plots and soil. Those that had plots last year all came back again this year. Those with current plots will have the opportunity to keep their plot. “We have decided to let them have their plots for next year as well. They all do such a great job taking care of them, they deserve to continue on.

Registration for any available plots for the 2013 season will be held in February.