The community garden plots north of Fargo owned by the Fargo Parks Department have been popular for many years, but this year they seem to be especially so.
Mary Jordheim of the Yunker Farm, which is adjacent to the plots and is in charge of the rentals, said she doesn't know why there have been more requests this year.
The Forum has received comments and questions from readers saying they have tried to rent a plot, but they are all gone. They wonder if there are any options for renting other plots.
There are about 133 plots and they are 20-by-30 feet. People can plant and go out and weed and maintain them at any time. It is fun for those who love to garden.
I know about the plots because a number of years ago, I used to do that. It was the heyday of community gardens and I had the opportunity of seeing them in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.
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Some were very grand. I recall a large garden adjacent to the Munsingwear plant, which was planted by employees who wanted plots. There were gardens next to apartment houses and some in rundown areas.
Here, there was a community garden on the south side of Fargo as well as the north side location. The south one is covered over with homes. Moorhead had a community garden for a short time, too.
Bouquets and roses are due the Fargo Parks Department for continuing this tradition.
Gardeners who use the plots do so because they have no other place to garden. I did so because my home was large enough only to grow carrots and beets and small crops. In the community garden, I could grow sweet corn, cantaloupes, cucumbers and even watermelons, vegetables that required more space.
There is no water available at the community garden. People need to bring their own water. I recall one summer when it was extremely dry. The Parks Department installed two stock tanks -- one at each garden -- and kept them filled. It was really welcome, and for those who could not haul their water it meant the difference between a productive garden and one that was dried up.
It was nice to weed all by myself on a beautiful day; no one who was maintaining their garden paid attention to anyone else.
So to the people who asked why no one else offers plots, I can only say I hope someone does. If you have any unused land, you would be doing a great favor if you would open it to gardeners who have no space in which to garden.
Collins is The Forum's garden columnist. Write to her by mail at The Forum, Box 2020, Fargo ND 58107, or direct e-mail to her at drhodes@forumcomm.com
