Community gardens offer gift for Marshfield gardeners

MARSHFIELD--Regis-tration is now being taken for raised beds at the Marshfield Area Growing Together Community Garden sites. Vegetable gardening is a healthy activity to save money and eat nutritiously at home. There are seventy-eight raised beds at three garden sites in Marshfield; Church of Christ on Felker Avenue, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on McMillan
and First Presbyterian Church on Lincoln Avenue. Some beds remain available at all three sites.
Marshfield Area Growing Together Community Gardens are celebrating their 17th year providing residents with raised beds in which to grow their own vegetables and save money. The fenced in sites are in sunny locations, have water sources and rich compost with pathway mulch provided for all gardeners.
The community gardens benefit the Marshfield area in many ways, including improving access to organic fresh food, serving as sites for restoring and building health, and as places to learn gardening skills and build relationships.
Cheri Talsness shared, “I signed up for a community garden plot at FPC shortly after we moved to Marshfield in spring of 2024. It was such a wonderful experience; talking and learning from fellow gardeners, spending time in a peaceful space, growing new vegetables and having my grandchildren visit! Garden tools were provided, compost and rainwater as well. We even received informative emails! I encourage others who are interested to give it try. “

Instruction in Square Foot Gardening and vertical gardening techniques is provided as well as tips on proper watering during drought conditions and how to create rich compost of your own. In addition, Master Gardeners are available to assist gardeners with questions and concerns during the growing season.
Returning Community Gardeners are asked to make a $20 donation for each 4x8 foot compost-filled bed reserved. This year, the community garden program is offering beds to new gardeners at the Church of Christ site for $10 each. Donations cover about half of the operating expenses with grants and contributions as additional funding sources. The Garden Committee is grateful to the three local churches for their continued hosting of garden sites and to Marshfield Area Community Foundation which serves as a fiscal agent.
If interested in reducing your grocery bill by growing your own produce, learning how to create your own compost, and registering for a garden bed for the 2025 season, please email
Barb Gillespie at growingtogethermfld@gmail.com. Donations are gratefully accepted to keep this program running smoothly.