The Garden at 485 Elm
People growing together:
a collaborative community garden in Montpelier, Vermont

Garden workday flow

It begins as friendly chaos. People gather and introduce (or reintroduce) themselves. We chat. Our garden coordinator Cindy assesses the needs of the day. We determine who is willing and able to do what. We snack. Work begins. Then momentum takes over and the time flies by.

Orientation to the tool shed

Orientation at the tool shed

 

 

 

 

 

Everyone helps turn over the earth in beds that have been covered for months.

Everyone helps turn over the earth in beds that have been covered for months.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today, this bed is all browns. Before too long, it will be burgeoning with greens.

Today, this bed is all browns. Before too long, it will be burgeoning with greens.

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, this row was covered. Today it's freshly turned, shaped, and trellised.

Yesterday, this row was covered. Today it’s freshly turned, shaped, and trellised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This garden has work for a wide range of ages and abilities.

This garden has work for a wide range of ages and abilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's not quite time to transplant these seeds into the garden. They're going home with Mary Alice where they can come inside at night.

It’s not quite time to transplant these seeds into the garden. They’re going home with Mary Alice where they can come inside at night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Measure twice, cut once, and one day soon we'll have lovely rectangular structures.

Measure twice, cut once, and one day soon we’ll have lovely rectangular structures.

Raised bed structures are coming soon. But not this week.

Raised bed are coming soon, but not this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sowing seeds at last! Today, peas and parsnips.

Sowing seeds at last! Today, peas and parsnips.