Down and Dirty ~ By, John Howsden

Down and Dirty

By John Howsden

Spring is here and the volunteers for the Bill Albee Memorial Copperopolis Community Garden have sprung into action. In a recent meeting at the library, volunteers reviewed their progress and discussed their plans for planting this weekend.

“Donations are arriving,” advised Jack Jimenez, chairman for the garden committee. Among other items; a self propelled rototiller was donated. Although the old engine had to be replaced, the tiller is large enough to handle the 900 square feet of semi-rocky soil. Even though it’s hard to avoid rocks in Copper, it can be done; several yards of garden soil from local businesses were purchased at a reduced price or donated. Also donated were an 8x10 storage shed and one picnic table with benches.

Because we’re talking about a garden, donations of plants are essential. Tim Reed is donating over a 100 seedlings or sometimes referred to as “starts.” Sierra Ridge also is contributing two trays of starts. The after school program may be growing starts as well. “We plan on planting a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, bell peppers, snap peas and squash,” said Jack. The Cub Scouts will plant pumpkins among the squash, while 4-H members will do some composting.

Of course none of this means anything without water, which is why Jack quickly pointed out that two water lines are broken, requiring immediate repair. Richard Duncan, who works maintenance for the Copper Cove Homeowners Association, took note. Not only were the water pipes in need of repair, but the gate enclosing the garden had been mysteriously knocked off its hinge. Later, when we visited the garden, volunteer Richard Duncan, taking the initiative, fixed the broken gate using nothing more than a pipe wrench for a hammer.

A community garden is a simple, healthy and rewarding project, but it requires many things to make it a success: dedicated volunteers, equipment, plants, ingenuity—pipe wrench for a hammer—and yes, money.  So to raise money, the volunteers are donating items to Copperopolis Parks & Recreation (a nonprofit volunteer organization) who in turn will sell it at the Flea Market this week-end located in the lot on O’Byrnes Ferry Road just south of the IGA grocery store. Money generated from the sale of the donated items will be earmarked for the garden.

The Bill Albee Memorial Garden is well on its way to accomplishing its purpose of educating and empowering the community to produce some if its own food. By using organic practices they will provide food for local community members and the Copperopolis Food Bank. The list of volunteers exceeds twenty, yet there is room for more.

For additional information contact Copperopolis Parks & Recreation at copperparks@yahoo.com or call 785-PARK.