The Connection

The prospects of enjoying garden fresh vegetables got closer for 19 gardeners, and possibly many more families, as Laurel Hill Community Garden Plots held its official ribbon-cutting on July 19. Newly released from its construction hold, the plots are now rented to fortunate would-be gardeners who jumped on the waiting list early. Some eager gardeners have already planted their new beds.

Each of the 19 plots at Laurel Hill includes a 20-by-30 foot fenced area with three raised, four-by-twelve foot soil-filled beds, access to two water hydrants, and a stone dust surface, and available parking. Many of these features are not available at earlier county plot sites. Park Authority manager Laura Grape notes the intentional focus at Laurel Hill provides features for accessibility including the hard-packed surface, wide aisles and doorways through fencing, and installation of raised beds as opposed to in-ground planting. The new design was a collaboration with Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation and Virginia Cooperative Extension. Virginia Master Gardeners will assist new gardeners, as requested, with suggestions for best growing practices.

Community garden plots are popular in Fairfax County. Rented on an annual basis, with first right of refusal to current renters, the county now rents 721 plots located in parks, explained Park Authority director Jai Cole. There is a waiting list of over 700 would-be renters county-wide. Patricia Dietly, the county’s garden plot coordinator based at Green Spring Gardens Park, works to match those on waiting lists with any plots that open as gardeners move out or shift to new locations. Opening of the new Laurel Hill site in Lorton added 19 plots, and attracted what is now a waiting list of 75 people hoping for a future opening at Laurel Hill. Current plot renters at other parks, who live nearer to the new Lorton plots, were given the opportunity to move if they wanted to do so. Anna Ford, who rented a plot at Franconia Park for three years, but lives just three minutes from the new beds, is one who is making the switch. Ross Panneton would have had an even faster commute from home to the garden since he once lived in the house across the street. Health issues prompted downsizing and his move to nearby Liberty Crest, but he will still be just minutes away from his plot. 

Green peppers in July

 

Alberta Williams, of the Spring Hill community, is another gardener who started three years ago at the Franconia Park gardens. With her knowledge of crops from her farm-reared childhood and love of being outside, she is now looking forward to growing her favorites, collards and kale, closer to home. Proximity allows more time to devote to the weeding and watering important to successful gardening. 

The Laurel Hill plots project cost of $202,465 was funded mainly using Stormwater Management Penalty Funds. Park Authority spokesperson Benjamin Boxer explains, “Through Land and Development Services enforcement efforts, property owners are sometimes found to be in violation of the law as they have committed some land disturbance violation. … Permits are required for clearing, grading, excavating, filling, or paving areas of more than 2,500 square feet. If a property owner is found in violation of County Code for a violation of these requirements, then qualifying property owners may be offered the opportunity to pay a consent charge into a central fund in lieu of going through a court process. The funds paid into this account are used for small environmental projects and for awareness and education initiatives.”

Lorton Community Action Center Executive Director, Rob Rutledge, hopes the money spent to construct the gardens provides new opportunities for fresh food donations to the Center’s nearby food pantry. The Center relies on donations and fresh healthy foods are especially important. Additionally, the Center has been sponsored for two garden plots to add to the bounty that donors can drop at the Center located at 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton. For drop off and distribution hours, see https://lortonaction.org/donate-food/