If you had visited the corner of 25th and Rollandet 25 years ago you would have seen an unused, gray and destitute, gravel-covered lot and wondered why a few brave gardeners were so excited that the Development Workshop had offered it as a future garden spot. But now, though it’s snow-covered, you will sense hopefulness, and the promise of diverse community members gathering together to plant and nurture succulent red tomatoes, tender golden corn, and fragrant sweet peas. It has become a place of growth in a healthy, sustainable, community–created environment. Since then, two other gardens have sprung from similar settings,
Westside Garden, not far from the IF airport, and
Eastside Garden, near
College of Eastern Idaho.
In 1995, 25 years ago, Kristi Appelhans and other master gardeners from the Bonneville County Master Gardener program began organizing the Idaho Falls Community Garden Association (IFCGA) to bring the benefits of community gardening to Idaho Falls.
The IFCGA also established a children's gardening program, Sprouts, where each child takes the summer to learn how to garden on her own plot. IFCGA is dedicated to providing Idaho Falls community with educational opportunities covering a broad spectrum of sustainable, organic gardening and conservation-related topics and techniques in free winter classes and workshops.
You can find out how to start your own garden on one of the plots at any of the three gardens at ifcga.org. Friendly Garden Coordinators and other experienced gardeners at each of the three community gardens are committed to helping beginners get started or consulting with experienced gardeners. Registration for garden plots will be at the Development Workshop Griffith Building on April 18, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Details about registration, upcoming events, classes, past presentations and gardening references are available at ifcga.org. IFCGA will also have a table at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market in early spring.
Come learn how to garden and grow your own food. Come meet other like-minded folks. Come grow with the Idaho Falls Community Gardens.
If you would like to read more of our March issue click here!