Break out the shovels and throw on some gloves, the Auburn University Community Garden is ready for spring planting.

The garden was created in 2005 by Dr. Beth Guertal who secured the funding and land for the project that grows fruits and vegetables for the hungry locally. After running the program for two years, the program was put in the charge of Mike Mulvaney, a doctorate candidate in agronomy and soils.

“The primary objective is to deliver produce to the food bank,” Mulvaney said. The garden also allows community members to volunteer their time and learn about gardening in the process.

From the garden, fresh produce is delivered to the food bank’s clientele. “Common sense says that a fresh tomato is better than a canned tomato,” Mulvaney said. With enough volunteers, the garden can provide the needy with these healthier food options.

All volunteers are welcome, Mulvaney said. Young, old, groups and college students are all invited to help because the garden is run by volunteers. “We need as many volunteers as possible,” he said.

The garden can be a learning experience for community volunteers. “A lot of people don’t know how to plant a seed,” Mulvaney said. The garden can teach volunteers how to plant seeds, care for plants and harvest a crop.

Mulvaney said that he sometimes rewards volunteers by letting them take home some surplus or unneeded crops as a trophy for their work.

Last year, the amount of land for production doubled, and so did the yield. The total amount produced was about 2,479 pounds. Mulvaney said that he hopes to continue increasing the amount of land available for production.

Increasing the land and production size remains largely a function of volunteer numbers. Mulvaney said the extra volunteers last year allowed more production. A more numerous volunteer base provides Mulvaney with the means to increase the garden's size.

The type of fruits and vegetables the garden grows depends on the purchases Dr. Guertal makes and donations from various people and companies. This year already, Dr. Guertal procured beans, spineless okra, sweet corn, pumpkin, egg plant, tomatoes and squash.

As the program seeks out work volunteers, it also has volunteers who donate equipment and money. Tractors, plant transplants and fertilizer are other items that are donated. The land is provided by the Auburn University College of Agriculture and the Agriculture Experiment Station.

Including equipment, crews, land, plants, seeds, volunteers and monetary gifts, the total of last year’s donations was about $2,500.
Mulvaney believes they will start planting the garden in late March. This is the time when they need the most help, he said. More people show up at harvest, but the time he really needs volunteers is during planting.

After the grounds are prepared, workers will be needed to lay plastic bed covers, irrigation drip tape and plant stakes. Mulvaney said he is attempting to make the system more automated this year. This helps Mulvaney and volunteers by making the job less labor intensive.

Those interested in volunteering may contact Mulvaney by email at mulvamj@auburn.edu or call at 203-948-8803.

“We could very much use your input,” Mulvaney said.


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