Sheridan garden effort invites participants

By The Montana Standard Staff - 12/06/2008

SHERIDAN — People interested in the 2009 growing season of Sheridan's Community Garden are invited to a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in the Sheridan Library.

In the 2008 season, six families worked the cooperative garden, which produces vegetables and flowers.

It was a learning season for them — they identified things that could go wrong, like planting too late. Also, rodents ate their cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower plants. Then a hail storm destroyed the peas and beans, which were ready to harvest, along with most of the flowers. An early frost wrecked the tomatoes.

Still, the gardeners produced great crops of potatoes, onions, and radishes, and nice carrots, beets and greens. Undaunted, they plan to do it again next year, and invite others to get involved.

The Community Garden uses an area owned by Les Jackson, located on Mill Creek Road, east of Sheridan.

Les and his late wife Betty, both teachers in the Sheridan school, established the garden in 1974. For 28 years they grew vegetables and an abundance of flowers. Jackson continues to plant the dahlias, and has designated other areas for the Community Garden.

For information, call 842-5888 or 842-5678.