Fairfield Glade Community Garden couldn’t have had a more perfect day to hold its annual Open House. On Friday, July 12, the community garden on Westchester Drive across from Wildwood Stables offered an in-person tour to all who wanted to see the existing plots.
Community Garden committee members led guests on a walk through the garden and answered guests' questions.
“For a lot of people, this is a happy place,” explained committee member Cary Woolard, “and some people come here for some quiet time. One woman in particular comes every morning for an hour and then comes back multiple times in the evenings. It's just so peaceful.”
Donna and Roger Dudley, current residents of the community garden, stopped by to pick vegetables. “This is our second harvest already this year,” Donna said as she showed off her harvest. “We miss having a big garden, and by joining here we get to grow our own vegetables.”
Brian Diltz, committee member, beekeeper and all-around garden helper, displayed samples of his crops and greeted potential gardeners who came to view the community garden. Kristin Gravuris, interested in gardening next year, expressed concerns about modern agricultural practices after strolling the garden. Gravuris was intrigued by the availability of space but felt the plot was too large for one person.
“A small plot will do,” Gravuris said, looking around the yard.
“We offer 40-foot by 40-foot plots for $50 a year. If you want a smaller plot, you can share a 40-foot by 25-foot plot with someone for $25 a year. We have several gardeners who share plots, and when harvest time comes, they share their produce with each other,” Diltz told Gravures.
Cindy and Greg Conyers, a married couple from Fairfield Glade, stopped by. “We saw the flyer for the Community Garden Open House and were intrigued and wanted to see what it was all about,” Greg told those at the reception. The Conyers were encouraged to look around and ask any questions they might have.
When asked if it was a club and if there were membership fees, the would-be gardeners replied, “We're not a club and we don't have any membership fees,” Dilts explained. “All you have to pay is the rental fee for the plot.”
“The lot is part of the Wildwood Stables property, which is owned by Fairfield Glade. The rental fees for the lot will help with the upkeep of the grounds as well as any tree pruning that is needed. We also have access to city water for our gardeners to water the plants, which will help cover those costs,” Dilts explained.
“It was clear that Fairfield Glade residents wanted to grow their own vegetables, and the community garden has provided a space for them to do so for 40 years,” said committee member Dale Sobro. “It started on the land across the road next to the horse stables, but then the space became too small.”
After facing erosion issues, committee members contacted the University of Tennessee, which advised installing a grass walkway to stabilize the soil and prevent ruts from forming on the pathway.
“Most of the lots are not fenced, so of course there are pests: rabbits, chipmunks, deer. We put up scarecrows, but I tell people to plant extra: one for the scarecrow, one for the deer and one for the scarecrow,” Diltz said with a laugh. “Then there are bugs, mosquitoes, gnats and things like that, which we can't do anything about. And then of course there are weeds. We till the whole lot in the early spring, and then the gardeners get rid of the weeds on the lot.”
Bev Lund, a community gardener since 2003, offered a common sense takeaway while wearing “Talk Dirt To Me” socks.
“Everyone thinks it's a lot of fun, and it is, but it's hot and hard work,” Rand says. [all] I'm a part of it. I'm happy to be part of the farm. We've become like a family. We all share the harvest. It's really nice.”
Steve Brown watered the plants with a garden hose and showed the aspiring gardeners a watering bottle. “I've been gardening here for three years and this is the best year ever. Everyone looks out for each other. If I have to be away for a couple of weeks, someone is happy to look after the garden for me.”
“It's a beautiful, magical place. The people are so welcoming and generous with their knowledge and produce,” said Kelly Williams, who is interested in next year's plot, as she held up three pumpkins she was given during the tour. “I have no gardening experience, but I leave here feeling very inspired today.”
Jerry Miller, past chairman of the community garden, invited General Manager and COO Bill Ward of the Fairfield Glade Board of Directors to tour the garden in person, and Cary Woolard gave Ward a tour of the grounds, after which Ward and his wife, Christy, reserved a plot for next year.
“I was involved with a similar project called 'Victory Gardens' – very similar in concept – where local restaurants were growing produce and herbs for use in their kitchens,” Ward said.
The open house drew many Fairfield Glade residents who wanted to explore the community gardens. For more information, visit the website at www.fairfieldgladeresort.com/community-gardens.
