The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Westlake garden cultivates produce, wellbeing
For the fifth year, residents can reap what they sow as members of the Westlake Community Garden, located on University Hospital St. John Medical Center’s campus at 29000 Center Ridge Road in Westlake.
Growing everything from sunflowers and tomatoes to lettuce and carrots, those who rent out one of the garden’s 48 plots can care for whatever crop they may choose to plant from spring through the fall every year, usually generating about five pounds of produce a week.
“It’s a great opportunity for people who can’t garden at their own house,” said Chris Stuhm, the city’s deputy director of public service.
Additionally, those who have grown more than they wish to take home can also indicate to city employees with a sign in their plot if they would like to donate their produce to the Community Services Food Pantry.
“That way, you’re providing back to the community for anything you’re not going to use,” Stuhm said.
The garden rents out all of its plots every year with a waitlist consisting of about 10 people, according to Community Service Department officer manager Cindi Lindgren.
A garden’s growth
Lindgren said the city’s and St. John Medical Center’s partnership was first discussed as early as 2012, with previous Community Service Director Joyce Able-Schroth and the hospital’s vice president of mission and ministry, Sister Judy Weirick, helping spearhead the project.
The community garden was conceived in 2014 as a collaborative project between the city and the hospital, originally starting with 10 plots total.
On 2015, the garden was expanded to 36 plots total and was 100 feet by 56 feet.
As a part of an Eagle Scout project, an additional 48-by-36-foot portion was added with 12 more plots in 2016, Lindgren said.
Due to popularity, Stuhm said another addition might also be in the works.
“Maybe this fall we’ll do it before the end of the year,” he said, adding that the expansion could have as many as 12 plots.
“They’re always asking for expansion,” Lindgren said of the participating gardeners.
Due to the property’s sloping in the back of the garden, only one more expansion is possible on the property.
Stuhm said any other expansion to another location would most likely be a continuation of the city and hospital’s partnership.
“I don’t think the city is interested in doing it solo because they want the community involvement,” he said.
Maintenance
Every year in May, participating gardeners and city employees get to work to get it cleaned up for the season.
About 30 yards of recycled wood chips and mulch provided by the city are added in between plots to help deter weeds.
Lindgren said letters are sent out to gardeners who have expressed interest in renting a plot. Those who pay the $25 fee are invited to come help prepare the plots for planting.
“Everyone pitches in and gets the garden opened up,” Lindgren said.
Good Nature Organic Lawn Care of Cleveland has also donated organic fertilizer and Gale’s Garden Center of Westlake has donated seeds for the garden, according to Lindgren.
Rain Barrels N’ MORE of Avon also donated rain barrels to use for watering produce.
Although chicken wire has been installed to keep out deer and groundhogs, Stuhm said he would like to see the city install a chain link fence to add a sense of permanence to the garden.
During the season that usually runs from May to the first frost of fall, Stuhm said employees from the service department visit the garden every week to pick up compost and check in on its status.
Rain barrels are filled up three times a week, he said.
Stuhm said because of the city’s and hospital’s partnership, the garden has been able to flourish over the year.
“It’s just a really good partnership,” he said.