Otis Community Garden: July
By Margie Klein
July 2026
The vegetables are growing and harvest time has arrived. What started as tiny seeds planted in the soil has become a thriving garden filled with fresh organic produce ready for the pantries. The reward of growing our own food is visible in every row and every basket gathered. A successful garden requires dedication. We are especially thankful to Jamie at the Otis Ridge Garden Center who was so generous with her beautiful plants and her pricing. The Otis highway department delivered wood chips which helps tremendously with our weed control. We were pleased that the Smile For Jack Memorial Fund generously gifted us $1,500 to help pay for a much-needed fence.
There is always weeding to be done, pest control, watering to keep plants healthy, and plenty of opportunity to get our hands dirty. These daily activities connect us to the earth and remind us that good things take time, patience, and care. We all come together with a common purpose. Everyone contributes, whether planting, watering, weeding, harvesting, or delivering to the two pantries. Team work becomes essential, and friendships also grow along the way. The garden becomes more than a place to grow food–it becomes a community where people support one another and share in the joy of helping others. As the season continues we celebrate the bounty, and a strong community. Enjoy your summer. As your grandmother told you, eat your vegetables!
How can I join in to learn and enjoy the bounty of a community garden?
While it’s rewarding to see the direct impact of our work, the harvests, the deliveries, and the maintenance of the garden require time and effort from all of us. We are all volunteers, but the work we do has a real and important impact on our community, especially for those facing food insecurity. No gardening experience is required, just a willingness to lend a hand and learn together.
You will need to work for about an hour a week, helping to plant, weed, harvest, or help with deliveries. You may choose which job feels the most comfortable for you—and choose which day works for your schedule. There is a fee of $50 for the season. We are busy from spring until the frost. You may also bring home fresh veggies and herbs for your own consumption!
The main goal is healthy, delicious food … and you won’t be disappointed. You can pick up a form and sign up at the Otis Library or Town Hall, or you may join us by emailing Otismagarden@gmail.com.
The Otis Community Garden is in full bloom! Photo courtesy of Susan Ebitz.
