Lewes Community Garden shears ribbon on protective fence
Lewes leaders gathered with members of the Lewes Community Garden Aug. 27 for a special ceremony celebrating a new fence and the natural goodness being protected by the permanent barrier.
Cathy Harris, one of the founding members, cut the ribbon on a fence that has reportedly been very successful in keeping critters away from the 48 4-by-8-foot garden plots. Work for the garden itself began in 2019. The all-volunteer group said that while it’s had success in its first three years, a more effective barrier was needed to deter animals from eating crops. The new fence is much larger than the previous fence and it is engineered to be a permanent fixture.
A strategic master plan is being developed for the garden. Future plans include adding 16 more garden plots. Also under consideration are fruit trees and perennial vegetables.
Annual rent for a plot is $75, but there is a waitlist. Residents of the greater Lewes area can participate and are chosen through a random lottery. Nonprofit groups and low-income families can receive a garden plot without paying rent and do not need to go through the lottery. Delaware residents living outside the greater Lewes area can participate as volunteers.
As of Aug. 21, Lewes Community Garden donated 302.94 pounds of produce to local food pantries in eastern Sussex County.
More information is available at lewescommunitygarden.org.
