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Lampman is organizing a community garden

With spring getting into full bloom, the itch for gardening is getting stronger and stronger.
Lampman garden
The town of Lampman allocated this plot for the community garden

With spring getting into full bloom, the itch for gardening is getting stronger and stronger. But not everyone has room and capacities to create a garden, so Lampman resident Mark Morissette decided to take matters into his own hands and reached out to the town.

“We talked about the possibility of the community garden. It will give people something to do,” said Morissette.

Fortunately, the Town of Lampman had a decent lot available that they were willing to allocate for the project. They will have to mow it and probably bring in the dirt, but the first steps are made.

“They said, ‘If you are willing to organize everything and look after it, you are more than welcome to try to make this a go,’” recalled Morissette.

And it went from there. Currently, Morissette is gathering people who are willing to get a plot. By last Friday after just a couple of days promoting the idea, he had six people on the list.

“Once we have a determined list of names, if there is not enough room the town actually suggested to possibly put a second plot if there was enough interest,” said Morissette.

“So far it seems fairly positive. It gives people something to do, with everything that’s going on people will be looking into more of something to do on their own. In our case, we’d like to have our own vegetables and teach the kids a little bit about how to plant the garden and what you need to do to look after it. And then it gives somebody something to do in the evening.”

Morissette has the majority of tools needed for gardening, which he is willing to share. COVID-19 related precaution rules will be put in place once the project gets going.

“Once we do have approval and then get a final count on who is interested, what we’ll do is we’ll make up the plots and then probably set up a schedule, just so not everybody is there at once.”

The community garden will be on 307 Second Avenue in Lampman. Morissette and his neighbour already went out to the plot to check what work needs to be done and to start planning for the garden. The plot sizes and organization of the garden are to be decided yet. But the project should be a go with any number of participants.

“We’ll just utilize the space. Some people might want just a smaller plot, some might want a bigger one.”

The lot is 50 by 125 feet, so Morissette assumes it can easily be split into 10-12 beds.

“It’s a big garden and we can get a lot of coverage in there.”

The town said they will have water provided for the community members. They will also bring the heavier equipment to till it up and get it going. Morissette will donate the garden hose and the sprinkler system.

“And then once it’s going it will be our responsibility to look after it after the fact.” 

Since the initial work will be done by the town and Morissette will help with equipment, at this point he doesn’t foresee any cost for gardeners.

“The only real cost will be just time put in by members of the community to make it successful.”

The details will become more clear in mid-May when Lampman is holding a town hall meeting where they will discuss the project. Morissette would like to see the garden space set around May 20 so people could start planting.

If anyone is interested in getting a plot, they can call or message Morissette at 306-461-4286.