UConn Extension’s Model Community Garden Expands Demo Capability

The UConn Extension Model Community Garden, a 900-square foot plot on the Middlesex County Extension Center grounds, was designed as a teaching and learning garden for Master Gardeners to exhibit various gardening practices, techniques and tools that can be applied to the individual home garden. Each year, the Master Gardener volunteers who manage the garden enhance its demonstration capabilities. In the past few years, the group has built a 3 bin compost system and a cold frame; and purchased a compost tea brewer.

While the garden soil texture at the Extension Center is easily workable – it lacks the rocky characteristics many CT gardeners have to grapple with—the soil does not hold moisture well, making watering a significant challenge, especially during the drier periods of the growing season. “We’ve struggled with keeping the garden appropriately watered since it was created in 2007,” explained Maureen Gillis, who co-leads the volunteer group. “After using a variety of soaker and other systems, all of which required significant monitoring, we decided an automated system was the ‘must have’ improvement for this year.” With a generous donation of labor and key components from Jordan Brook Irrigation of Waterford, CT, an outreach grant from the Connecticut Master Gardener Association (CMGA), Extension staff support, and the hard work of several Master Gardener volunteers, a new system will be ready for use and public demonstration by spring. The system, which includes an electrical component as well as four-zone watering, monitors rainfall and supplies the appropriate amount of water for the various crops grown. 

Produce grown by the Master Gardeners at the Model Community Garden is donated to Amazing Grace Food Pantry and St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen.  If you are interested in learning more about the Master Gardener program, visit their website at http://www.ladybug.uconn.edu/. Applications for the 2013 class, which begins in January, are currently being accepted. The public is encouraged to stop by the demonstration garden (1066 Saybrook Road, Haddam) or arrange for an educational tour. Contact Chantal Foster at chantal.foster@comcast.net for more information.