Otis Community Garden for September

By Margie Klein
September 2026

Every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. when I unlatch the garden gate, the dew is glistening in the sunlight on the vegetables. As I walk into the garden, the vegetables are plentiful, spread out like an artist’s pallet. We are picking green beans, beets, radishes, herbs, tomatoes, kale, peppers, squash, carrots, lettuce, cukes, potatoes, and more. People are worried-asking me if I eat lettuce and I am proud to tell them that I pick my own organic lettuce from our community garden. I am enjoying my caprese salad and gazpacho! We deadhead the marigolds to keep the plants healthy and to keep the mosquitoes away. The garlic was strung and is ready for eating. Both the Lee and Otis food banks are appreciative when we bring this weekly harvest to them. There is usually a plethora of vegetables to donate. Erin from East Otis won the raffle from the library fair and she was able to come and fill a basket of goodies. 

Erin DeCelle won the library raffle, and as a prize, got to pick a basket of veggies from the Otis Community Garden! Photo by Eve Kummel

Our next big project is building a new fence. We are grateful to the Smile Like Jack Foundation for a generous donation. And, special thanks to Troy Fluckinger for figuring out how we can make this become a reality. It will take a lot of us to make this project happen. We are a team. I just want to step on the brakes and hold onto this glorious gift of fresh vegetables. The volunteers have endless energy taking care of the garden. It always amazes me that out of the frozen earth of winter a bouquet of vegetables arrive. Enjoy the fruits of the earth and give thanks.

Glorious veggies from the garden. Photo by Margie Klein

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.