The Reed Garden was established in 2010 by a Reed Teacher and some neighbors that were passionate about gardening. Lyon, just north of the Reed Academy parking lot. Water was provided and a concrete slab with a garden shed were donated. Reed students even planted plants into milk cartons and sold them to raise money at the C*Street Market for the garden. Reed teachers utilized the garden in curric
ulum with their students. A few years later the Teacher and some of the neighbors moved away and the remaining neighbors tried to keep things up. This became an overwhelming task. In the fall of 2015 the Woodland Heights Neighborhood Association asked me to help revitalize the garden as part of our Beautification Plan for the Neighborhood. Also to reconnect the Staff at Reed Academy with using it as an outdoor classroom. Last year we were able to stain the fence around the Garden, provided two beds to new gardeners, produced several pounds of food in both our Individual and communal plots. We had several volunteers help with various projects. Four new beds were built and installed. A teacher from Study was able to utilize the garden for one of her classes, which we built a worm bed, vertical tower wall, and learned a lot about gardening. Springfield Public Schools Farm 2 School initiative provided training for all interested teachers in Springfield, five teachers from Reed participated as well as the Teacher from Study. We are proud that just this year we became the first School/Neighborhood Garden in Springfield. Reed Academy/WHN Garden is now available for renting beds. Currently we have four beds for renting and more on the way. If all current beds are rented then we will do a waiting list until beds are available. Our beds are 4 x 8 x 13" tall. They are available for $15 for the season. We are offering communal beds as well, which we currently have 7 communal beds, so there will be lots of variety of produce from them. We are offering communal participation for $10. We will be offering handicapped beds that will be 3 x 8 x 24" tall to accommodate those in wheel chairs and those that need the taller bed. I have plans for two of these soon. All participants will have access to storage shed to utilize tools and supplies. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver/agreement which lays out the rules for participating in a community garden. Since we are a part of Springfield Community Gardens we expect organic gardening practices. Our new fruit garden is well underway it is located on 428 W. Atlantic St. We currently have 5 fruit trees a cherry, plum, peach and two apples. Last fall we planted Raspberry, Blackberry and Blueberry bushes. As well as some Rhubarb plants. We are still installing infrastructure onsite which included our new Arbor for our entrance. Since the fruit garden is in the Moon City Creative District we would like to see this area with a creative vibe. We will also be installing native gardens that encourage Bird, Butterfly and pollinating insects. The future plans for the garden is to establish a Kids Gardening Club, provide an area for teachers to utilize it in their curriculum, a Seniors program for our elderly neighbors, and a neighborhood section for those that don't have space in their own homes or who would like to socialize with other like minded people. With the idea of being able to provide overlapping experiences with all our garden members. Bringing young and old, school and neighbors together to share each others wisdom and experiences. Other plans are to have space to help supplement local food banks.
