The Randolph Community Garden Continues to Grow

Posted: September 24, 2021

On Friday, September 10. 2021, the Randolph Community Garden held its first potluck dinner. The event celebrated the end of the gardening season for the community garden located in Veterans Community Park.

The dinner, held under the covered pavilion at the park, was attended by over 70 people, including community garden members, family, friends and local officials.

Over the past two years, the community garden has blossomed literally and figuratively under the direction of Community Garden Coordinator Mike Dziomba, the community garden committee, and a high level of community involvement.

With 133 gardeners managing 168 beds, the operation is at full capacity with new applicants being wait-listed. The Randolph Township Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department provides maintenance support and administrative assistance, all funded by the bed fees charged to participating gardeners. Everyone is doing their part to keep the garden growing. The garden is also completely organic, meaning only all-natural fertilizers and pesticides are used.

This year, the committee started doing “Walk and Talks” on Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. Participants walked through the garden and discussed which plants were doing well versus those that weren’t, agricultural pests and diseases, and other observations and considerations. These informative talks led to the addition of a pollinator garden with wildflowers to help bring in bees and good bugs to support the organic growth of the garden. Next year, beehives could be on the docket.

Current gardeners have until October 4, 2021 to renew their beds for 2021-2022. Once the renewals are confirmed, it will be determined how many beds are available and they will be filled from the existing waiting list.

Residents interested in becoming a member of the community garden can have their name added to the waiting list by calling the recreation office at 973.989.7081.