- May 13, 2024
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Tyler Kiddy, Troop 404, built the message board kiosk for his Eagle Scout project. Courtesy photo
The first Ormond Beach Community Garden was such a success that a second one was opened at a ceremony Feb. 4 at 601 Fleming Ave. in Central Park. The waiting list for a plot was almost cleared; there are now only about a half-dozen left waiting.
Those interested in having a plot are encouraged to get on the list, however, because there can be turnover during a season.
“Gardening is so important to our lives,” said Mayor Bill Partington at the ceremony. “We don’t often think about it.”
He pointed out that all the major religions use gardens as a metaphor in their literature. People read about gardens at an early age and later seek them out to get back to their roots.
“Deep inside we love gardens,” he said.
Smiling, he said the city should now probably start looking where to put a third garden.
New at the second garden is a “demo” plot where planting can be demonstrated. Groups from schools and other places can get expert advice from Master Gardener Russ Royce, who volunteers his time to help the gardeners.
“Gardening is therapeutic,” he said. “You put some seeds in the ground. Watch things pop out. The next thing you know they flower and then you have fruit.”
Lending a helping hand for the garden were brothers Tyler and Ethan Kiddy, of Boy Scout Troop 404, who did their Eagle Scout projects. Tyler, who attends Ormond Beach Middle School, built the message board kiosk; and Ethan, who attends Seabreeze High School, built 10 of the garden plot boxes.
“The Scouts have been a huge help,” said Kacie Walker, Leisure Services recreation program specialist.
Walker coordinated the development of the second garden.
“It’s really cool to see it go from a drawing on a page to reality,” she said. “It’s exiting, it really is.”
Irv and Donna Birenbaum shared a plot at the first garden, and now look forward to having an entire plot. They enjoyed broccoli, peppers, peas and tomatoes.
She said she especially enjoyed the left spinach, because you can tear off a leaf and it grows back.
They also had a lot of habanera peppers.
“I had to turn them into sauce,” Irv Birenbaum said. “It was great.”
Joe and Marjorie Giuffre have had a garden in Albany, New York, and are now learning Florida gardening.
“You can grow all year,” she said. “This is new for us.”
In addition to getting fresh vegetables, they also look forward to meeting people and enjoying the community of gardeners.
For information about the community garden, call 676-3293.
