ESCANABA — Escanaba Community Garden plots are now available. The Escanaba Community Garden off 23rd Avenue South in Escanaba has 30-foot by 30-foot plots available for a fee. Last year’s members have ‘first come, first serve’ choice of garden plots; but everyone must attend the mandatory garden orientation meeting. If you’re interested, plan to attend the orientation on Wednesday, April 27 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. or 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the MSU Extension Office – Delta County, 2840 College Ave., Escanaba.

The orientation meeting allows fellow gardeners to meet each other and meet MSU Extension staff and Extension Master Gardener volunteers who assist with the garden. It also provides time for all members to review the garden rules agreement, so all gardeners are following the same expectations for gardening. Some key goals for gardeners continue to be no use of phosphorus fertilizer and more water conservation. Gardeners are also trying to improve the soil structure and health by using organic mulches and composting.

This year MSU Extension, along with Extension Master Gardeners, plan to implement a native plant demonstration garden on-site. The use of natives will help stress the importance of “right plant, right place” when selecting flowers to plant, as well as provide food and shelter for pollinators and other beneficial insects. There is also a backyard composting demonstration on-site that Harry Worden, an Extension Master Gardener trainee, has been managing. Gardeners are beginning to see the benefits of managed compost.

The public is invited to stop by the Escanaba Community Garden on Saturday, April 30 beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. to see various horse teams help till the garden. This event is weather dependent, so the rain date is Saturday, May 7. This is a free event. Coffee and donuts will be available, as well as some Smart Gardening tip sheets for any type of gardener. The smart message helps gardeners use more earth-friendly, sustainable garden practices that save them time and money in the long run. Some key messages include “Don’t guess, soil test,” “Don’t fight the site,” and “Mow high to reduce weeds.”

If you’d like to learn more about the garden, plan to attend an orientation meeting or contact Rebecca Krans, MSU Extension consumer horticulture educator, at kransr@msu.edu.