Lewes Community Garden breaks ground

Members of the Lewes Community Garden literally planted the seeds for what they hope will be a fruitful endeavor full of camaraderie and fellowship. 

About a dozen members and volunteers worked together June 8 to build 20 raised beds on the site of their garden near the Lewes Unleashed dog park on Park Road. The group is starting small in its inaugural year, offering 4-foot-by-8-foot beds to members and community sponsors.

“We don’t want to bite off more than we can chew,” said Perrin Smith, co-chair of the group with Michael Whitehouse.

If fully built out, the garden could have as many as 70 4-by-16-foot beds on the nearly one acre parcel. The plan also includes a teaching area and several handicap-accessible beds.

“We’re really looking for people who are interested in joining on the ground floor,” Smith said. “They can help shape this, give us feedback and share ideas. It’s very much a community project.”

Smith said membership is $75 for the year. Membership includes rent for a raised bed and all the materials needed to grow organic vegetables.

Nonprofit organizations, churches and low-income families are also encouraged to contact the group to use one of the community-sponsored beds. Two have already been reserved – one for the Greater Lewes Community Village and another for a low-income family that loves gardening.

“Community gardens are becoming more and more popular because of the sense of community,” Smith said.

With the popularity of the Historic Lewes Farmers Market and dog park, Smith said it’s the right time to start a community garden.

For more information, go to www.lewescommunitygarden.org.