Crabtree Farms held a community garden start-up workshop entitled “From the Ground Up” this month, training seven new community garden groups on how to start and run a successful community garden.

The garden groups gained vital knowledge for community gardening: from site planning and construction to maintenance and community organizing. They also visited three active community gardens in the area to realize the possibilities.

“It was definitely helpful to all skill levels, regardless of gardening experience. All questions were treated equally and respectfully which really helped the interactive learning experience!” said one workshop participant.

Community Gardens in the workshop included: Hope Springs Community Garden and Graceworks Church Community Garden in East Brainerd, the YMCA Downtown Community Garden, Stuart Heights Community Garden, Jefferson Street Park Community Gardens, the Cleveland Community Garden Initiative and the St. Andrew’s Center Community Garden in Highland Park.

In addition to the two-day workshop, participants also received $150 gift certificates toward plants from Crabtree Farms. Also, Austin’s Garden Center is extending contractor pricing to these new community garden groups, to help with the cost of starting and maintaining a community garden. They will also receive technical gardening assistance from Crabtree Farms for their community gardens throughout 2009.

This workshop is part of Crabtree’s larger From the Ground Up Community Garden Program. From the Ground Up is a year-long effort at Crabtree Farms to grow new community gardens in Chattanooga through supporting and connecting area community gardens.

Monthly Community Garden Meeting Information:
-A monthly community garden meeting will be held at Crabtree Farms to inform individuals interested in starting new community garden projects and to encourage networking among area community gardens and gardeners. Meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month at Crabtree Farms. The first meeting is March 5, at 5:30 p.m.

Crabtree Farms is a research and educational project promoting sustainable agriculture. The Project includes a Buy Fresh Buy Local campaign, Farm-to-School programs and a working demonstration farm. Crabtree Farms is located near downtown Chattanooga at 1000 East 30th Street.

For more information on the “From the Ground Up” workshop or community gardens, please call Melanie Mayo at 423 493-9155, ext.11, or email mbabb@crabtreefarms.org.