By Sheila DeNuptiis
Special to the Turnagain Times
Girdwood Community Garden (“GCG”) was initiated last year, but members were unable to complete the garden due to previous commitments. However, it is definitely happening this spring. GCG will be an entirely organic garden. All soil amendments, fertilizers, and pesticides will be provided.
Girdwood Chapel donated a portion of land for establishing a community garden, which is located behind the small building at the back of the parking lot of Girdwood Chapel. Girdwood Chapel is located on the first right off Timberline Drive.
The garden will be administered by a member of Girdwood Chapel, who is also a Master Gardener. The site is dry and very sunny. This year much planning and fundraising was conducted to support the garden. A website has also been built: girdwoodcommunitygarden.com compliments of Mamasahn Graphics.
Many businesses donated funds to sponsor a garden plot: Double Musky, Laundromall, Jack Sprat, Girdwood Clinic, Ice Cream Shop, Forget Me Not Nursery, World Cup, On Site Snow Removal, Chair 5, and Girdwood Ski & Cyclery.
Through their donations initial topsoil was acquired. In addition, Lowes donated $50 worth of products, which provided stakes for the beds and some soil amendments.
Anybody interested in sponsoring a plot may pay a one time, tax deductable, donation of $50 to Girdwood Community Garden, c/o Girdwood Chapel, Box 1068, Girdwood, AK 99587.
And if you are interested in renting a plot, visit the website to get an application and rental agreement. Garden plot fees of $15 (and a $10 deposit) for a 5’x10’plot will provide funds to sustain itself after the initial start up costs.
Topsoil is scheduled to be delivered around May 17. Applications will also be accepted that weekend. If you applied for a plot last year and would like to keep it, payment must be made that weekend as well. All plot fees must be collected by that time in order to continue getting site materials.
Work parties will be scheduled the weekend of May 17 and 24 to get the site ready for planting by May 31 or sooner, depending on weather and completion.
Garden work will begin at noon and continue until about 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. Listen for announcements on Girdwood radio station KEUL.
Even if you don’t need a plot, you may visit the garden to meet, learn, trade or commune with other local gardeners. For more information call Sheila DeNuptiis at 783-2944 for more information.
Most of the site has been cleared and beds created from the trees cut down. A few more trees need to come down, the area cleared of small brush, and the rest of the beds created. The existing bed frames still need to be staked in place and lined with fabric before they can be filled.
After the garden plots are ready, fencing will be built around the perimeter, as well as some other final tasks.
Girdwood Chapel is in the process of getting a contractor to install water and sewer, however, it is unknown at this time, how soon that will be. Until then water will be hauled and stored in containers. Runoff will also be collected from the Chapel roof.
Donations of garden tools, buckets, hoses, etc. are also being accepted—even if they’re a little worn but usable or fixable.