The Audubon Park Garden District is sponsoring an organic community garden at 1500 Falcon Drive, the original site of the Audubon Park Elementary School. Volunteers will remove grass, build raised beds, amend the soil and install an irrigation system in anticipation of planting vegetables as well as flowers for the spring.
A total of ten plots were initially available, with five already reserved. One plot has been secured by local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in anticipation of acquiring merit badges for gardening, as well as water conservation badges.
"We're thrilled the Scouts are participating and we're happy to be able to offer this to the neighborhood," says organizer Jennifer Marvel. "It's a great way to build community, meet neighbors and beautify the area."
The group will apply for the Mayor's Matching Grant in September and hopes to secure funding to install vinyl coated fencing, create a wheelchair accessible picnic area, build an outdoor community bulletin board and more.
The community garden will be an organic endeavor. Only natural home made pesticides or pest controls with the OMRI certification labels will be permitted in the garden. Rather than pressure treated lumber, which can leach toxins into the soil, boxes will be made of cedar which will withstand the elements longer than other untreated woods.
The garden plots are open to Orlando residents and cost $20 per year. Interested parties should contact APGD Director, Kat Quast, for more information at kat@apgardens.com.
More Community Garden Stories:
Mobile Community Gardens
Festival Park Community Garden