News for Community Garden Members
Questions about the Community Garden? Email the Community Garden Coordinator.
Read the
Garden Journal on a regular basis for Community Garden announcement, event info and, coming in February, Community Garden Coordinator Eve Minson will be sharing helpful tips and advice to get you started on a successful gardening season.
We had great weather and a great turnout for the Community Garden grand opening on Saturday, April 30, 2011!
(l.) Paul Smith, director of designed landscapes for Duke Farms, made some opening remarks.
(r.) Plot holders look through seed packets of a wide variety of flowers and vegetables before choosing several to plant.
(l.) More than 5,000 seedlings provided by Duke Farms were available for gardeners, including Brandywine heirloom tomato, basil and red sweet bell peppers.
(r.) Wheelbarrows were on the move as gardeners filled them with compost for their plots.
(l.) Planting time! For many gardeners, preparing their beds and planting was a family affair!
Duke Farms began hosting a Community Garden in 2011 to provide people with the opportunity to grow produce that is healthy for their families in a way that is friendly to the environment.
Eligibility: People who live and/or work in Hillsborough, Bridgewater, Branchburg, Manville, Somerville or the Borough of Raritan are eligible to participate; commercial enterprises are not eligible to apply at this time.
Plot sizes/Annual fee: Garden plots are available in three sizes:
- 10 x 10 feet for an annual fee of $10
- 15 x 15 feet for an annual fee of $20
- 15 x 30 feet for an annual fee of $30.
Note: Annual fees may be waived if they are prohibitive for those facing financial hardship.
Location: The Community Garden is located at 1112 Dukes Parkway West in Hillsborough, between Route 206 and Roycefield Road, at the site of the future orientation center for Duke Farms.
Accessibility: The garden area is fenced with a gate; the gate will be open from dawn to dusk daily.
Requirements: Those holding garden plots will be required to care for their plot from April 1 through November 30. Gardeners must use organic practices – no chemical fertilizers or pesticides will be allowed. Gardeners also will be responsible for providing their own seeds or plants and must use their own garden tools to tend their plots. Water will be available on site.
The process: Garden plots are awarded by a lottery system with a limit of one plot per household. To receive their plot, lottery winners must sign an agreement with Duke Farms to follow the rules and regulations of the Community Garden and pay their annual fee.