The weather has been challenging over the last month. At least in terms of finding enough rain free days to dry out the sod. But Veteran’s Day turned out to be the day. At noon, a few people gathered as Kristen Nabarrete of the Red Barn Motel cut the ribbon for the launching of Incredible Edible Milbridge’s Community Garden. Eight people, from 10 months to eighty five years old witnessed Michael Hayden climbing aboard his old tractor to turn the sod in the beautiful open field next to the Motel overlooking the Narraguagus River.
After a few false starts, and even the disappointing prospect that maybe this wasn’t going to be the day of ground breaking for this old tractor, after the small band of supporters had drifted off one by one, after Michael had reluctantly considered that maybe he needed to find a young tiller to do the job, his tinkering on the old tractor did the trick. She tore into the sod, and began flipping it over.
A couple hours later, with the sun low in the sky, the one hundred twenty foot by seventy-five foot garden site was turned. And a new chapter for WHRL’s Incredible Edible Milbridge begins. Before the snow flies, we hope to have composted manure spread over the turned sod so that come spring, we’ll be ready to gather community volunteers of all ages to help Michael plant and tend the garden.
Please be in touch with WHRL if you want to be involved in some way—no experience needed! All hands to the plough! We’ll make beauty, have a good time and grow lots of delicious organic veggies for all.