Make plans for your community garden plot

A sign up for the community garden is scheduled from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23 at the Hot Springs County Library. The gardens are in a gorgeous natural spot with a lot of potential, Melanie Valentine said, and those who haven’t seen the area are encouraged to stop by C Avenue and Arapahoe Street to have a look.

Valentine is looking to upgrade the gardens, as over the past couple years the weeds have gotten out of hand, particularly the puncture vine or goat head. The Wyoming Master Gardeners Association recently provided a $750 grant, which will go toward some landscaping and mulching to create a commons area near the front of the gardens; the same spot is one of the main areas of infestation.

Valentine would also like to develop a children’s section, or an area for specialty crops such as raspberries and strawberries. Last year, the garden saw about 18 people using the land and Valentine encourages anyone to get involved no matter their gardening experience.

“If you don’t really know what you’re doing, it’s not a problem,” she said, adding there’s plenty of people to ask for help. People don’t have to have a green thumb to pitch in either, as there is plenty opportunity for manual labor.

Those interested in helping with this year’s community garden are encouraged to stop by the library March 23, or contact Valentine at 921-1789 or melann318@gmail.com