On Saturday morning Oct 24, the River Valley Area Community Gardens entered a new phase of development as a group of Gardeners gathered at the site to add plots on the western half of the Gardens.  When these new plots are rented, we will have reached our maximum capacity.  The 2021 gardening season will be our 6th year.   
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This view is looking northwest from the gas line in the middle of the property.  We were blessed with a great day to be out in the Gardens.  It was a bit cool but warmed up.  And we stayed warm with all the activity.  The heavy rain on Thursday night did not leave the field muddy.
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We have some planning to do because we have to move our sheds due to the gas line but we are excited for the future.
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Registration continues throughout the winter into the middle of June or until all plots are rented.  Registration forms are available now  First time community gardeners will receive a discounted rental fee.  We also have a student gardening program where students garden free and may be assigned a mentor, unless they have a gardening parent..
Garden info
Registration form
Student Garden info
Student Registration info

Need more info, please contact us.

Wow, Mother Nature surprised us on Oct 19.  SNOW.   It turned the grass white for a few minutes but melted.  But, it did give us some pretty pictures from the Gardens.

There is still veggies growing, flowers blooming, seeds forming, and leaves on the trees as the snow coated the Gardens in a blanket of white.

The pictures:  Maple sapling; New England Astors in the Prairie Garden; Frost Astor that looks like it is blooming again with it's coating of snow; Lettuce in a garden plot; Purple coneflower, and River Birch tree with snow caps.

After a couple of cancellations due to Covid 19 concerns, we finally were able to have 2 successful brat frys at Prems Meats in Spring Green.  

​Our master chiefs decided to add chicken breast sandwiches and Italian sausage to our menu of brats and hot dogs.  The chicken breast sandwiches were popular.  We sold 20 Italian sausages.  The decision is out on the Italian sausage for next year but we will definitely bring the chicken breasts back.  

 
​​On both days we were blessed with good weather for the brat frys.  It stopped misting / sprinkling by the time we were ready to set up and started misting / sprinkling as we started cleaning up.  It was a tiny bit nippy for the October day.   We worked really hard but we also had a lot of fun.
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​​All proceeds from our brat frys go to operating expenses.  We cleared a tad over $600 on each of the frys giving us a good start for the 2021 gardening season.  Thanks to Thrivent Financial for seed money for expenses and to Prems Meats and Hometown Supermarket for their support.  We are adding plots so we know that we need to get new plot markers, expand the irrigation system, purchase more hoses and another wagon or two, 

Dates for the 2021 brat fry season will be set in early spring and will be scheduled sometime between mid-July to mid-September.  Be sure to stop out and support the Community Gardens.

Registration for garden plots for 2021 has begun.  We have been at the Spring Green Farmer's Market the last 3 weekends.  We will be at the Farmer's Market Oct 10 and Oct 17, weather permitting.   
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  ​Early registration allows the gardener to get into the plot yet this fall to plant an early spring crop, a cover crop, or supplement the soil with extra compost.  Or the gardener may start early in the spring as soon as the ground is ready to plant.  Gardeners will be asked to participate in the Preseason Meeting in early to mid May so that they can meet their fellow gardeners and learn of any developments over the winter but pre registered gardeners do not have to wait until that meeting to begin gardening in the spring.  

Early Bird registration involves filling out the Registration Form, reading the Gardeners Guidelines, signing the Gardening Agreement, paying the rental fee and getting a tour of the Gardens.
Rental fees for first year gardeners are $30 for a 20 x 20 plot, $20 for a 10 x 20 plot, and $10 for a 10 x 10 plot.   Gardeners may rent a single plot or several of the same size or select a variety.  The only stipulation is the plots may not be rented for commercial use.   Early registered gardeners will receive notice of their plot assignment as soon as the current plots are cleaned up this fall.

If you aren't sure what size plot to rent, stop over to the Gardens located in the 900 block of N. Westmor in Spring Green and check out the plot sizes.  Most of the harvesting has been completed and gardeners are starting to clean up their plots so the next two weekends would be a good time to stop over.

In the Spring of 2020, we were surprised by the number of people registering for garden plots.  We had 26 families including 3 students gardening with us this year which was up from 14 families in the previous years.  Luckily we had planned on adding 2 rows of plots and additional space had been tilled which became plots instead of a grassy area.  Over all we added 27 plots to the existing 28.

Early registration will give us an idea of how many more plots to add.  The Board has already decided to stake out 18 more plots in anticipation of more people wanting to garden due to the Covid 19 crisis.
So far we have had 4 new gardener registrations by coming to the Farmer's Market.  Of course people may register at any time throughout the winter and early spring by visiting the Gardens website at ​www.rvacg.org.
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Gardening is an excellent way to get out of the house, get fresh air and exercise during this pandemic.  Community gardening is also a great way to meet people, share seeds and produce and get new recipes.  We also have work days to work together to keep the gardens and the park area groomed and looking nice for ourselves and our visitors and get to know each other.

If you have questions or want a registration form, please stop by our table at the Spring Green Farmer's Markets on Saturday October 10 and October 17, weather permitting.  You can always request registration information via email at [email protected].  Information and forms are also published on the website www.rvacg.org.

Come join us!