About:
This garden was established in April of 2016, and is sponsored by the Freehold Township Heritage Society. It is located within a residential development, and is associated with the historical Oakley Farmhouse. This is an organic and OMRI pesticide garden.
Organization:
There are currently 46 gardeners in the plots, which are available as follows:
4×20 plot for $35, 40 available
4×10 plot for $20, 20 available
There are 6 raised 4×10 plots for individuals with disabilities.
The master gardeners have scheduled days that they are available in the garden for assistance, on either Thursdays or Saturday mornings. They find this schedule works well for beginning gardeners who are still learning, and know when to find help.
There are two community plots in the garden in which the produce is donated to Open Door in Freehold. The Heritage Society also has a plot to grow produce for a farm stand, where they take donations for the produce that is grown. The donations are then given back to the Heritage Society.
Important news and gardening tips, and Rutgers fact sheets, are shared via email.
Funding:
Freehold township has paid for their fencing, benches, wood for the raised beds, and the water.
The garden also holds a deposit for individuals, which stands as a promise that they will volunteer their time to general garden maintenance. This deposit rolls over to the following growing season if your contribute to the four work days, otherwise the garden keeps the deposit for maintenance.
The garden requires that members bring their own tools.
Harvest:
One of the garden coordinators, Ms. Beuka, stated that nearly 300 pounds of produce has been donated so far. Their season will end on October 30th, and gardeners must remove all traces of their garden. They will reopen on March 26th.
Decision Making:
There are two garden coordinators and multiple master gardeners who generally make decisions together. The garden members have worked together too coordinate events such as a potluck, and they are very involved. They hope to establish a committee next year, when they begin composting.
Rules:
The rules for the garden are similar to most other community gardens, with a five foot limit for produce and a rule that you must be at least eighteen years old.
Demographics:
Majority of the members live within walking distance from the garden, or a development over. There are a few members from neighboring towns as well. They have many teachers and a few high school students who volunteer. The rest of the demographics such as age, gender, and ethnicity vary as well.
There is also a doctor who has bees on Oakley Farmhouse property nearby, who provides pollinators and has a connection with the garden.
