The Community Garden provides and opportunity for people of all ages to grow a garden while beautifying the community and offering educational programming on garden-related topics. Community Garden 2008 Application, print and mail.

Community

Community gardens are as much about cultivating community as they are about cultivating plants. So the Salida Community Garden provides an opportunity to grow more than just flowers and vegetables. When you plant with other people, you grow in a unique way too.

a Space for a Garden

The Salida Community Garden began its first season in Springs 2003. Its mission is to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to grow a garden while beautifying the community.

It also offers educational programming on garden-related topics.

The garden is located at the corner of Second and I Streets in downtown Salida. Community Garden organizers cleared and cleaned a rundown lot loaned by a local family while volunteers donated time and materials toward construction of the garden site.

	The garden is open May through October.
	Vegetables and annual flowers may be grown.
	Organic principles of gardening are followed (no chemical pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides are used).
	10 x 20' plots are available for individuals or groups for a fee of $30.00 per season. Water is included in the fee and gardeners are expected to comply with City water regulations. Hoses are provided, but gardeners are expected to provide their own sprinkler heads. Soil is tilled annually and amended through the Community Garden's composting program and the planting of nitrogen fixing cover crops.
	The Salida Community Garden is a gated facility in order to protect the gardens from vandalism and animal damage.
	Plots are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Community Garden 2008 Application, print and mail.

Learning Experiences

In addition to providing garden space. the Community Garden offers a variety of garden related classes during the summer months. Examples of past classes have included: Introduction to Composting, Principles of Xeriscape, and Principles of Organic Gardening.

Relationships

Participating in a community garden can be a unique and wonderful experience. Community gardens are ideal for people without their own space. but even people who have their own land enjoy the community spirit that can be felt when people plant together.

Here's what some of our gardeners said about our first season:

"Being involved with the garden this summer gave the kids of Kid's Campus not only a wonderful 'hands on' experience, but it also made the kids the proud recipient of the 'largest zucchini' award."
- Sheri Johnson-Horsley, Program Director, Kid’s Campus

"My experience at the Community Garden was most enjoyable definitely worth it. What a wonderful transformation. The people here put the COMMUNITY in this garden."
- Trisha Cullinan gardener

“It’s been a fantastic learning experience and a great community experience! It put me in touch with the earth. I practically survived off of salads from the garden all summer.”
- Valerie Kime, gardener, and Youth Unlimited staff member

Community Garden 2008 Application, print and mail.