If you stop by the Community Garden in French Creek Park in Morrison, IL, you will find that this busy park has people coming and going at all times of the day. Many of them are gardeners pulling weeds or watering a vegetable or flower.
The garden started as an outreach program of Morrison Community Hospital Foundation. It continues to flourish due to the diligence and extra care by many Morrison gardeners. Water was available due to the water lines placed by the City in our first gardening season in 2010. Many things have contributed to the success of our garden. This includes patience to plant and care for a garden and determination to tolerate heat and bugs–while waiting for that very first strawberry or tomato!
This year the garden is working as a shared garden, in that, all of the gardeners contribute to the care and maintenance of it, at some time during the season. Several people enjoy the planting of two or more 10’x20′ plots. There are 20 gardeners or garden groups planting 33 garden plots.
Annual vegetables and flowers predominate, but in the area designated for perennial plants are herbs, strawberries, raspberries, rose bushes, and a wide selection of flowers, native and cultured. It is fun to plant and a great hobby for all ages. However, entering the warmer season of summer, the most prolific of plants are the weeds!
In all gardens, this time of year it is a challenge to maintain a quality garden with minimal care. Straw has been provided for the last few years for weed and moisture control. This summer we initiated a garden composting system, to better use all of the residual plants.
The Community Garden is beautiful and reflects the hard work and diligence of many individuals. Special appreciation and thanks to those who helped again this season with greatly-appreciated contributions:
- Ron Shank for the annual garden tilling, both spring and fall
- the City of Morrison for their help and support in many ways
- Wherry Farm and Balk Farms for their contributions of straw for mulching within the garden plots.
Stop by and enjoy this colorful, inviting area. But don’t touch the green beans, or peas, or tomatoes!
Article courtesy of Nancy Anderson