By Margie Klein

March 2026

As I continue to try and find a place to put all the snow from the last storm, I’m thinking about the garden. It has been a long white winter. I’m still making pots of soup with kale from the garden. I am writing to invite all of you to join this endeavor. The garden has been going strong since 2008. The mission remains the same, providing vegetables and herbs to those in need. We pick for two pantries, Otis on Wednesday and Lee on Saturday, and we bring vegetables to the Senior Brown Bag Giveaway on the 3rd Friday of the month

Between June and October, we plant a variety of vegetables, such as carrots, peas, lettuce, beets, squash, zucchini, green beans, tomatoes, kale, turnips, potatoes, radishes, spinach, cukes, and herbs. We are a group of volunteers who collectively make this garden grow. Thanks to all the volunteers for your time and energy because the garden has become a place where seeds turn into meals, neighbors turn into friends, and hard work turns into joy. We care about natural gardening and using organic principles. 

All of you can join, learn and enjoy the bounty. 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 willingness to lend a hand and learn together. You will need to work an hour a week doing jobs like planting, weeding, harvesting or helping with deliveries. You choose which job feels the most comfortable for you and the day. There is a fee of $50 for the season. We are busy from spring through the frost. You also bring home fresh veggies and herbs for your consumption. The main goal is healthy, delicious food and you won’t be disappointed. You can sign up at the library or the Town Hall by picking up a form or emailing otismagarden@gmail.com.