Work continues at community garden

The Baldwin Community Garden is in the process of getting one of its biggest additions completed — a 35 by 35 garden bed for common vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers and beans.

Baldwin Civic Association members, with the help of Sustainable Long Island and local volunteers, got to work on July 30 dismantling wooden pallets that will soon serve as the frame for the garden beds. The bed couldn’t be completed that day because the volunteers didn’t have enough quality pallets to work with. Also, Matthew Fallon, a permaculturist in Baldwin who led the effort last week, said for a project of this scope, more volunteers are needed.

Sustainable Long Island, a non-profit organization that promotes economic development, environmental health, and social equity, brought in volunteers through the Long Island Volunteer Center. Also, students from Baldwin High School came down to pitch in.

When the garden bed is finished, it will be placed in the center of the parcel behind the Baldwin Historical Museum, off Grand Avenue between Laurel Court and East Seamen Avenue. Fallon said it will be filled with woodchips and compost, which will provide nutrients to the growing vegetables and retain water.

Fallon plans to plant common annual vegetables for people to enjoy. There are already two smaller garden beds growing similar items, which are doing well.

It’s Fallon’s hope that more people get involved with the garden so that it keeps expanding. “I actually want it to feed the community eventually,” he said.

To stay up to date on what’s going on in the garden and for upcoming volunteer opportunities, go to the www.facebook.com/BCAgarden