Community garden grows in Cloquet

Lingering winter weather has not dampened the spirits of the Cloquet Community Garden organizing committee.

The group met recently on a wintry April afternoon to plan and get a jump start on the 2022 gardening and growing season. With about a dozen topics on the meeting's agenda, the discussion was enthusiastic as the group looked forward to brighter days ahead.

"This is our sixth year," said Terry Anderson, Cloquet Community Garden Committee member. "I never would have thought it would be so popular. Every year we have around 12 to 15 or more gardeners, some have kids and some are older, there's all different ages involved."

Established in 2017, the Cloquet Community Garden is a Community Impact program of the United Way of Carlton County. The program's vision statement is "Growing Together: providing a space in the Cloquet area for growth of community, mind, body, and food."

The garden has 27 plots of various sizes available, including six raised beds for physically easier gardening. As of mid-April, about half of the plots had been assigned to gardeners who have already registered. Registration for the remaining plots is ongoing. Each season brings a mix of returning and new gardeners.

Anderson said the most popular item grown in previous years was tomatoes, at least until people got tired of them. Beans, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, cabbage, peas, squash, beets, Swiss chard, and a variety of other vegetables and flowers have grown successfully in the plots. Even watermelons, cantaloupe, and pumpkins have been harvested from the small plots.

The cucumber is the 2022 vegetable of the year and community gardeners are encouraged, but not required, to plant cucumbers in their plots this season. There is a new bed being prepared this spring for rhubarb.

"Ruth Jorgenson felt strongly that people should have the opportunity to grow healthy food, and learn how to do it," said Vicki Anderson, who acts as co-chair of the garden committee with Jorgenson.

Participating in the Cloquet Community Garden is open to anyone in the Cloquet area. No previous gardening experience is necessary and helpful advice and gardening mentoring is available from other participating gardeners.

"All you have to do is show up," Anderson said. "The soil is tilled and fertilized and the plots are in good shape. It's one of the more weed-free community gardens I have seen. It's protected from deer, has a source of water, and it faces slightly south so there's plenty of sunshine. You can park right next to it and wheel a wheelchair into the garden."

Land for the garden is provided by Zion Lutheran Church. It's located next to the church on the east side of the property. A clever rain-collection system gathers rain running off the church roof and the water is kept in small stock tanks and used as needed during dry spells.

Participating gardeners receive a monthly newsletter containing gardening tips and recipes. Open house social events and group work sessions are regularly scheduled throughout the season.

A seasonal plot costs $20 to help cover maintenance costs and supplies. All gardeners help with general tasks including spring preparation, summer weeding, and fall clean-up. An Open House event is set for 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 16.

"We are happy to be a partner and support the Cloquet Community Garden," said United Way staff member Emily Hutchison.

The United Way staff provide fiscal, recordkeeping, and organizational support to the garden efforts, which is led by volunteers.

New gardeners for 2022 are encouraged to register soon before all plots are filled. Anyone interested in having a plot can contact the United Way of Carlton County office at 218-879-8404 or via email to [email protected].