Have you enjoyed a fresh vegetable picked from a garden? University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners are inviting the community to join them at the Carl Sandburg College Community Garden located at the entrance of Carl Sandburg College to learn more about growing vegetables and to provide fresh produce to our local food banks.
The community garden is a place for all ages, all individuals, families, or groups to learn by growing and harvesting vegetables. Whether you are a beginning gardener wanting to learn how to plant a garden, an experienced gardener experimenting with a new plant, or someone who likes to be outside and enjoys being around others the community garden has room for you.
There are multiple ways to become involved at the garden. Adopt-a-plot to grow your own vegetables. Adopt-a-plant to experiment growing a new vegetable and learn to take care of it, as well as how space it needs to grow. Join Master Gardeners in raising produce for the local food pantries. The Extension Master Gardener and Carl Sandburg College team will be there every step of the way through harvest.
Starting May 2, come to the community garden to participate in workdays that will be held each week on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m., or on Thursday evenings from 5 to 7 p.m. While helping tend to the community garden, ask Extension Master Gardeners all your gardening questions. Join the team on select Thursday evenings to learn new ways to prepare and cook garden vegetables.
Contact Wendy Ferguson, horticulture program coordinator at Illinois Extension if interested in adopt-a-plot or adopt-a-plant to request the plants no later than April 20. Some seeds and plants will be available to plant and harvest as your own, but supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first come first served basis.
Can’t wait to get started? Join us on May 2 at 9 a.m. for the first workday, to meet the team, and to learn. Bring garden gloves and be willing to get dirty.
WRITER: Jackie Spence, Publicity and Promotion Associate, Illinois Extension
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for the University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and communities to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.