It’s a small garden after all

by Virgina Coleman-Prisco

Over a century ago, local gardening was still the norm in rural areas and encouraged during World War I to supplement regional food supplies. Afterward, during the Great Depression, community “depression gardens” sprang up. World War II saw the rise in “victory gardens”. A decade ago, “community gardens” became a staple throughout the nation and in Norfolk. Now with Covid-19 impacting our lives and food supplies, community gardens continue to be vital resources. 

Built a decade ago by Botelle parent volunteers along side town volunteers, includingSarah Bruso, the Norfolk Community Garden is nestled along the side of Botelle School facing the ball fields. It consists of raised beds, brick walkway, and a picnic table.  This year, Jenna Brown and Lisa Bazzano, both Botelle parents, PTO members, and Norfolk natives, have been tirelessly working on the garden with the help of their children. 

From the outset, the Norfolk Community Garden was sponsored by local businesses, grants from the Norfolk Conn. Children’s Foundation and the Green Pastures Fund, and sales from personalized engraved bricks. The bricks form a terrace at the center of the garden which includes a picnic table that acts as a central meeting area for teaching and learning. Now that the PTO has taken over running the garden, this year they will again sell personalized engraved bricks for the terrace area. This fundraising campaign will help support the maintenance of the garden and purchase of new plants. The campaign will be featured in the PTO’s Weekend in Norfolk (WIN) activities, such as a virtual garden tours. 

Jenna Brown explained how “plantings such as grapes and salsa garden beds will yield crops that we can make jellies and salsa from, and sell those goods as well. This year we will be giving a lot of the produce to Norfolk families, as well as local food pantries”. As always, the produce and products must meet the standards of the Conn.’s Department of Agriculture’s requirements. Lisa Bazzano recalled how community garden salsa used to be sold at the Norfolk Farmer’s Market and hopes to make that happen again this year. 

So, stay tuned for new developments from the garden: the personalized bricks, virtual tour, fresh local produce, and market goods. For updates and fabulous garden photos, follow the Botelle PTO on Instagram (www.instagram.com/botelle_pto) or Facebook (facebook.com/BotellePTO). Also, reach out to the PTO at pto@botelleschool.org if you are interested in volunteering or donating.