By Gabby Nelson

Walking through the Norfolk Community Garden behind Botelle School in midwinter, one may not be greeted by the same lush show as in midsummer, but there is evidence everywhere of promise for the season to come. The picnic tables sitting on a brick patio in the center of the garden wait for weary gardeners to plop down to take a rest, piles of mulch and compost sit in the corners, eager to help the garden grow come spring, and the newly installed drip irrigation system is visible over the raised beds, soon to be covered by layers of leaves, vines, fruits and vegetables.

Vegetables and flowers are grown in the community garden. Photo by Bruce Frisch.

The garden, consisting of 15 raised beds, provides growing space for community members and Botelle teachers and students. In past years, the local 4-H group has maintained a handful of beds, using the garden as a hands-on opportunity to learn to grow food. One Botelle teacher planted a “pizza garden” and held a pizza party with her students using crops from the garden. The cafeteria workers would also like to use the garden’s yields as a part of meals served at the school, but new garden coordinator Lisa Auclair points out that most of the peak growing season in Norfolk occurs while school is out for the summer. Still, root crops can be planted in the spring for fall harvest; likewise, garlic and onions can be planted in the fall for harvesting in the spring.

While the community garden has been put to good use in years past, Auclair believes the garden has the potential to grow. The future possibilities are endless. Fruit trees, productive and decorative vines climbing the fences and pumpkins rolling down the hill adjacent to the garden are all options for expanding the variety of plants grown in the garden. Additional areas for growth and improvement include partnering with more community organizations and using the garden to meet food needs in town.

Garden plots have always been free to community members, and Auclair has no plans to charge a fee this year. Any person or organization interested in a garden plot can contact her at lisaauclair@sbcglobal.net or 860-806-3679. With love and care from experienced and aspiring gardeners alike, the Norfolk Community Garden will continue to be a beautiful, productive space for generations to come.

Photo, top, of the community garden in winter, by Gabby Nelson.