Registration now open for community gardens

Learn to grow your own produce while participating in a community event

MARSHFIELD — Healthy Lifestyles-Marshfield Area Coalition Growing Together Community Gardens is pleased to once again offer 80 raised beds for community members to grow their own produce and be a part of a community experience.

Gardening is a low- to no-cost way to provide one’s family with fresh produce, reduces the grocery bill, and serves as both family bonding time and physical activity.

The community gardens are located at three sites on the west, north, and east sides of Marshfield including First Presbyterian Church (200 S. Lincoln Ave.), Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (502 W. McMillan St.), and St. Albans Episcopal Church (1413 S. Felker Ave.).

Gardeners are asked to participate in one garden orientation session and volunteer at least three hours during the season. Volunteers may assist with spring readiness chores, weeding around beds and pathways during the growing season, or helping put the gardens to bed after final harvesting. Community members interested in assisting at the garden workdays are welcome.

Garden workdays

—Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.

—Saturday, May 9, from 9-11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church.

—Saturday, May 16, from 9-11 a.m. at Good Shepherd and St. Alban’s Church.

—Tuesday, May 19, from 4-6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church.

Orientation for gardeners

—Saturday, May 16, at 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

—Tuesday, May 19, at 6-7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. (Special note: Square foot gardening techniques will be presented by Theresa Lessig, UW-Extension Horticulture Educator).

Gardening experience is not necessary to participate in this program. If you are interested reserving a plot, please contact JoAnna Giraud at Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach by calling 715-221-8429 or emailing giraud.joanna@marshfieldclinic.org.

Gardeners are encouraged to make a $15 contribution towards upkeep expenses of the garden sites. Drop off or mail $15 along with your name, address, email, and phone number to JoAnna Giraud at Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach, 1000 N. Oak Ave. (F1C), Marshfield, WI 54449. Make checks payable to Healthy Lifestyles Coalition, and please put “community garden” on the memo line. Additional donations are accepted for future improvement and expansion.