Community garden to bloom in Arkadelphia
ARKADELPHIA — It might not look like much now, but the Arkadelphia Community Garden is expected to sprout vegetables soon.
Twenty 10-by-20-foot garden plots have been prepared for use by Clark County residents, thanks to an agreement between the city of Arkadelphia and the Clark County Master Gardeners.
Judy Sligh said the city agreed two years ago to give the Master Gardeners the land to use for the garden, which is on Hemphill Road, southeast of the city. The property was once part of the city’s old ballpark.
The ground was recently plowed and solarized and is now ready to be leased to residents with green thumbs. According to gardeningknowhow.com, solarizing is a method that uses heat energy from the sun to reduce the effects of soil-borne diseases, pests and other soil problems.
Sligh, a Master Gardener, said plumbing has been laid beneath the ground, and faucets will be installed for gardeners to use.
“One faucet will be available for every four plots,” Sligh said. “They can bring their own hoses.”
One side of the garden will be reserved for organic gardeners who want to keep their crops free of pesticides.
Only one plot has been reserved so far, but Sligh said all others are now available for a small fee.
A community tiller will be available, thanks to a $400 donation from the Arkadelphia Rotary Club.
Bob Clark, a local plumber, laid the pipe and donated his labor.
Sligh said the Master Gardeners can have the use of the property for up to five years, with an option to renew.
“It’s just more affordable to grow your own vegetables,” she said. “That’s a big plus to your grocery bill. And it’s a social thing — a real coming together of people who like to garden.”
Master Gardener Rita Nickles said the community garden’s development as “taking too long.” Lea Van den Burghe called the garden “a work in progress.”
Once they have leased a plot, Sligh said, “it’s up to the people to do the rest of the work.”
The garden is to be planted primarily with flowers and vegetables, she said. The Master Gardeners will provide some flowers for landscaping.
The total fee for a garden plot is $50. No permanent structures, including fencing, will be allowed.
Gardeners will have access to their plots only during daylight hours; no overnight watering will be allowed.
For more information, call Sligh at (870) 246-2485 or Joyce Palla at (870) 245-8373.
Staff writer Daniel A. Marsh can be reached at (501) 399-3688 or dmarsh@arkansasonline.com.