The Roosevelt Community Garden in Roosevelt, Long Island is accepting online registrations for raised-bed garden plots and for their free garden workshops for the 2020 growing season (April to November). Plots are available to rent ranging in price from $20-$55.
The Roosevelt Community Garden, managed by the North Shore Land Alliance, is located at 59 E. Fulton Avenue on a 10,000-square-foot former house lot. Now entering its third growing season, the garden offers people an opportunity to grow fresh, organic produce. The garden is also used as an outdoor classroom where community members, especially children, can learn about sustainable agricultural techniques, water conservation practices and the nutritional benefits of food they have helped grow for their own consumption. Step inside the perimeter fence and you’ll find 49 garden beds, some of which are wheelchair accessible, picnic tables and two colorful sheds that were hand-painted by volunteers. A seasonal membership includes access to quality soil and water, starter seeds and gardening tools. Organic practices are utilized, so no pesticides or other harmful chemicals are permitted. Plots are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Every season I’m so pleased to see so many wonderful people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds come together to share an appreciation of gardening and nature,” said Andrea Millwood, Associate Director at the North Shore Land Alliance. “Having a place where people can grow their own organic produce with their hands is incredible. The joy the garden has brought to so many people’s lives and the relationships that have been formed here are priceless,” she added.
The North Shore Land Alliance is pleased to partner with the Roosevelt Public Library and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County this year to provide garden workshops and hands-on demonstrations that will help gardeners succeed at growing food. The Land Alliance also remains grateful to Nassau County for their work to build the garden and create more access for community members to grow their own organic food. Healthy, local food enhances not only gardeners’ quality of life, but also their community environment.
A sampling of garden workshops for the 2020 growing season are:
- Square Foot Garden: Grow More in Less Space: Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m. Roosevelt Public Library (lower level); 27 W. Fulton Avenue.
- Composting Demonstration: Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to noon. Roosevelt Community Garden; 59 E. Fulton Avenue.
- Gardening at Any Age: Mind, Body and Soul: Thursday, June 4, 6 p.m. Roosevelt Community Garden; 59 E. Fulton Avenue.
To register for a garden plot or view the complete schedule of garden activities and workshops, please visit the Land Alliance website at www.northshorelandalliance.org/rcg.
The North Shore Land Alliance is a nationally accredited not-for-profit land trust founded in 2003 that works to protect and preserve, in perpetuity, the green spaces, farmlands, wetlands, groundwater and historical site of Long Island’s North Shore for the enhancement of quality of life and benefit of future generations. The Roosevelt Community Garden was established in 2018, thanks to funding provided by Nassau County, the New York State Conservation Partnership Program/Environmental Protection Fund, the Long Island Community Foundation and the North Shore Land Alliance.
For more information about the North Shore Land Alliance or the Roosevelt Community Garden, visit www.northshorelandalliance.org or contact Andrea Millwood at 516-922-1028.
