Now that spring has finally sprung, it’s time to start gearing up for another gardening season. If you’ve ever compared the taste of home grown vegetables to their store-bought counterparts, you know there’s no contest. Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS), with the help of Buncombe County, is working to create a new community garden space so that more Swannanoa residents will have a place to grow delicious and nutritious food for themselves and their families.
The new community garden is located on Clover Lane (across from the Veteran’s Nursing Home), just off Lake Eden Road, on land managed by the County. Work is already underway to create raised beds, construct a garden shed, and install an irrigation system. Many of these garden improvements will be funded through a County grant.
The garden will be up and running on a limited basis this growing season, with plots available for rent by the 2014 season. In addition to providing space for home gardeners to grow their own fresh fruits and vegetables, the bounty of the new garden will also help feed Valley neighbors who need a helping hand. Some of the garden space will be dedicated to growing food for the Welcome Table and local food banks and pantries.
The goal is to make this garden a true community effort. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to come out on Saturday, April 13, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a garden workday. Bring a hammer, hoe or other garden equipment and join us as we build a new Swannanoa community garden. Lunch will be provided. Stay for the whole day or for one or two hours. Many hands make light work!
And while the new garden is under construction, we still have a few plots available in our existing community garden on Lanier Lane in Grovemont. FANS has sponsored this garden for the last several years on land generously donated for this purpose by long-time Valley resident Bill Alexander. A nominal fee for each plot helps cover the cost of water and other gardening supplies.
Call 581-9020 for more information about either of the two Swannanoa community gardens.