Sparta Community Gardens prepares for new season

SPARTA — A dedicated group of master gardeners, including Sparta Farmers’ Market creator, Mitchell Morrison and Bob Nicholson, formed the Sparta Community Gardens in 2010. It has since grown to two parcels measuring 43’ X 103’ and 50’ X 60’. It has also attracted the services of local Eagle Scouts, whose Eagle Scouts projects were the actual fencing of both parcels including Chris Zazhok’s recent rustic wooden fence in 2017. Ever mindful of our community and environment commitment, two garden plots have been reserved for the Sparta Ecumenical Food Bank and a certified butterfly garden already on site will become part of a future outdoor educational exhibit and part of a nature walk.
Sparta Community Gardens, located on the grounds of Sparta Historical Society’s Van Kirk Homestead Museum, consists of 38, four feet by twenty feet raised garden beds rented for $45 per season. Organic gardening methods are encouraged and there are water hoses provided in the two fenced-in areas. There is nothing better than eating garden fresh.
Sparta residents are eligible to sign up to garden either vegetables and/or flowers on a first come, first served basis with preference given to last season’s renters. There is a mandatory annual meeting held in April to notify gardeners of any changes to the garden’s operations, its rules, assignment of plots and to discuss any issues and concerns. Registration begins February 15, 2018. Contact Renee Ferguson at spartahistoricalsocnj@gmail.com or 973-726-0883 if interested or have questions. Checks should be made payable to Sparta Historical Society and mailed to P.O. Box 312, Sparta, NJ 07871.
Sparta Historical Society is located at The Van Kirk Homestead Museum at 336 Main Street (Rt. 517, use Middle School Driveway), Sparta. The museum will be closed from January through March 2018 preparing for its new spring exhibit called “Life and Wildlife along the Wallkill.” Stay tuned for our historical lecture presentation scheduled for Thursday, March 8th at the Sparta Presbyterian Church at 7PM. Further details or group reservations, call 973-726-0883 or Email: SpartaHistoricalSocNJ@gmail.com.