Calling all local greenthumbs: Community garden getting ready for the springtime

By Emily Canning-Dean / The Wadsworth Post

WADSWORTH – With 2020 being its first year of existence, the Bird Park Community Garden had a bit of a late start, but this year gardeners are invited to start planting much earlier.

“Tilling will begin in May and then you can begin planting immediately thereafter,” said Gary Barnard of the Bird Park Garden Committee.

The garden, located at 560 Bird Street, is a partnership between the city and the Wadsworth Public Library.

Anyone interested in a 10 foot by 10 foot plot can apply at https://www.wadsworthlibrary.com/garden.

The cost of a plot is $25 and water is provided by the city and is tapped from a nearby drinking fountain. Priority is given to Wadsworth and Wadsworth Township residents on a first come first served basis.

Each gardener is responsible for watering their individual plot.

Gardeners are responsible for fencing their own individual plots with chick wire or some other temporary structure. The four corner plots at the garden have been reserved by the garden committee for a combination of native wildflowers to support pollinators and composting sites. Only debris from the gardens may be placed in the shared composting sites.

Gardeners are prohibited from growing plants or building trellises that exceed 6 feet in height and the use of chemicals is strictly prohibited. Situations calling for pest or disease remediation will require the review and prior approval of the garden committee.

Barnard said that people with little or no experience shouldn’t shy away from becoming part of the community garden.

“There’s a lot of help for beginning gardeners and non-gardeners,” he said.

The garden committee is made up of experienced gardeners who are committed to helping new gardeners learn the ropes.

This year before planting even begins, members of the garden committee will offer programs on WCTV to help new gardeners get started.

On Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Carolyn Keiper will have a program titled “Yes you can garden.” She will be back March 25 with a program called “Ready, set, garden.”

Barnard said that he and David Williams are also planning to host a show about composting.

“The date for that is still being determined,” he said.