A Garden for the Town

Salisbury is a town that values its natural surroundings, and a connection to the earth. An outgrowth of that commitment was the inauguration, in 2013, of the Hewat Community Garden, where residents who don’t have the space for vegetable or flower gardens at their homes can have a place to grow seasonal plantings annually.

Besides space, there can be obstacles to making a secure fenced-in area at one’s property. And there is something to be said for communal gardening — that is, sharing with others the joys and challenges of the way things grow year to year. Every year is a little different.

The summer of 2022 was defined by a severe lack of precipitation, which led to drought conditions. It’s hard enough to coax vegetable plants to thrive and produce in a normal year, but drought makes that all the more difficult. At least there was an abundance of full sun. And several inches of rain finally came at the beginning of September.

Community Garden organizer Deb Brinley Buckley was at the garden, which is off Salmon Kill Road on the Housatonic Child Care and Salisbury Family Services property, in early September (before the rain) and took the time to speak with this reporter. She was doing some watering, and noted how tough the drought had made it for all the gardeners this summer.

Yet the evidence was that the gardeners had given their individual plots enough attention so that flowers and vegetables had a chance to grow. The sense of pride in each section was evident, with the designs clearly reflecting each gardener’s passion. Sunflowers, marigolds, zinnias and more conjured all the colors of late summer, along with tomatoes, peppers, kale and even corn, just to mention a portion of the harvest.

Ten years of the Community Garden has meant constant improvements to the area, including a gazebo, a tall fence that is stronger than a home gardener would normally be able to have, easy access to watering, a shed, a mower and ongoing attention to soil quality.

The garden was designed by Lakeville landscape architect (and Lakeville Journal columnist) Mac Gordon, who has kept a plot there himself most years. It is administrated by Salisbury Family Services, whose Director of Social Services Patrice McGrath said in a recent interview that they had hoped from the beginning to get all kinds of people working together there, and that has happened.

The excess produce goes to the Corner Food Pantry in Lakeville, she said, so nothing goes to waste. “And, the garden is on the Pollinator Path, thanks to Helen Baldwin planting two pollinator patches.”

The cost to join for a full season is $30 for a single plot and $50 for a double. “But if someone can’t afford the fee, that should not be an obstacle to anyone. We work with those who need help, and all should know they can still participate,” McGrath said.

Anyone who would like to take part in the Hewat Community Garden next summer should contact McGrath around January of 2023 to make a reservation. She is at Salisbury Family Services, 860-435- 5187, or pmcgrath@salisburyct.us, or go to the website at www.salisburyfamilyservices.org.

Community Garden organizer Deb Brinley Buckley, at left in photo, was at the garden with her longtime friend, Jane Cioffi, who lives in North Carolina but grew up with Brinley Buckley in Connecticut, and was helping pick and water on Saturday, Sept. 3. Photo by Janet Manko

Some of the flowers and vegetables that made it to harvest despite the drought. Photo by Janet Manko

Photo by Janet Manko

Photo by Janet Manko

Community Garden organizer Deb Brinley Buckley, at left in photo, was at the garden with her longtime friend, Jane Cioffi, who lives in North Carolina but grew up with Brinley Buckley in Connecticut, and was helping pick and water on Saturday, Sept. 3. Photo by Janet Manko
Related Articles Around the Web

Latest News

Amenia board honors employees for service

Long-term town employees were recognized at the Town Board meeting on Thursday, June 12. Honorees pictured with Town Supervisor Leo Blackman, were Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the Town Garage, center, for her 35 years of service to the town and Megan Chamberlin, current Highway Superintendent, for 20 years.

Leila Hawken

AMENIA — Acknowledging the many years of service accumulated by town employees, the Town Board paused to honor that service at its meeting on Thursday, June 12.

“Thank you for making a difference,” said Town Supervisor Leo Blackman in recognizing Judy Carlson, Office Manager at the town garage, for her 35 years of service.

Keep ReadingShow less
Historic marker dedicated at Amenia Union Cemetery

In anticipation of the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2026, new historic markers are appearing at each of the local cemeteries where Revolutionary War veterans are buried. Unveiling the new marker at Amenia Union Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, were left to right, Town Historian Betsy Strauss, Jim Middlebrook representing the regional chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and Gail Seymour, President of the Union Cemetery Association.

Photo by Leila Hawken

AMENIA — One by one, new historic markers are appearing at local cemeteries where Revolutionary War dead are buried. On Saturday, June 21, community members gathered to see a new marker unveiled at Amenia Union Cemetery on Leedsville Road.

A tent provided welcome shade for the attendees and refreshments as about 30 residents gathered for the unveiling and to share stories of local history with one another.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millerton Street Fair celebration June 28

Bee Bee the clown, face painters and a community wide scavenger hunt are among the activities planned for the Millerton Street Fair in Downtown Millerton on Saturday, June 28.

Photo by Aly Morrissey

MILLERTON — The Millerton News, in partnership with the North East Community Center (NECC) and the Millerton Business Alliance, is hosting its first Street Fair on Saturday in a celebration of the town.

Rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m, the fair will bring together local nonprofits and businesses, with live music, entertainment, kids’ activities, local eats, and family fun in Veterans Park, in front of the Millerton Inn, and beyond.

Keep ReadingShow less
Millbrook Historical Society announces summer Quaker lecture series

The Nine Partners Road Quaker Meetinghouse, built in 1780, will be the site of two summer lectures sponsored by the Millbrook Historical Society.

Photo by Leila Hawken

MILLBROOK — Long in the planning, the Millbrook Historical Society has announced that it is sponsoring two lectures in observance of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Both lectures relating to Quaker history are to be held in the historic Quaker Meeting House on Nine Partners Road.

For the first talk, scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., the historical society has invited Sarah Gronningsater, Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk on “Quakers, Anti-slavery, and the American Revolution.” The topic will explore the role that New York’s Quakers, especially in the Hudson Valley, played in the rise of the anti-slavery movement that followed the American Revolution.

Keep ReadingShow less