At the Great Bend Garden Club’s  December meeting, Veronica Coons, representing the Barton County Conservation District, shared what’s happening at the Community Garden located at the Barton County Historical Society Village  and Museum.

 The Community Garden is operated in partnership with the Conservation District, the Historical Society and the Master Gardener program. It also works with the Golden Belt Community Foundation. The garden area now has the original 20 by 10 foot beds in the ground and 10 more raised beds, five of which are taller (which require less bending to care for) and five a bit lower but still raised.

The beds have been used by individual families and also groups growing vegetables for families facing poverty. Some individuals have become acquainted with each other and have shared the care or their beds. Families with children have enjoyed working together.

Over the three years of the garden’s existence, water has been available and this year it is planned to add a drip irrigation system to the raised beds. Yearly, the beds are fertilized and this year the Conservation District was given a large donation of seeds that will be distributed for use in the gardens.

Families or individuals wanting to use a garden bed are asked to sign up for one by joining the Barton County Historical Society either at the Museum location or at the Conservation District Office.

The Conservation District also offers a series of classes on growing vegetables. Information on these classes is posted in the Great Bend Tribune and on Great Bend Post.