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Whalen's Wharf Rain Garden

Chairperson 2024

Deb Dodds

Volunteers include Mary Boyer, Mary Suter, Kirby Williams, Susan Vorhees, Laura Metzger, Deb Dodds, Meredith Falvey, David Brown, Annette Born, Valerie Kelsey, Brooke Elmgren, Susan Alston, Anne Page, Bill Hobbs, and Kathy Worthington, and Community Gardens chairperson: Elizabeth Johnstone

QUICK REFERENCE - CHORES THAT VOLUNTEERS

CAN HELP WITH AT THE GARDEN

 

Early Spring Chores

  • Apply seaweed on all beds.

  • Empty shed, sweep out, refill shed, and try to toss what we do not use (can go in the trailer to the town Transfer Station).

  • Sprinkle biochar on all beds.

  • Spread worm castings on all beds.

  • Weed whack interior along the north and south fence's interior.

  • Weed whack exterior west, north, and south (all weed whacking needs to be put on the tarp and moved to the trailer).

  • Fill the trailer with debris and go to the town Transfer Station (make sure to check beforehand when the facility is open/closed).

  • Clean the pond by adding water incrementally (not all at once) and using pond chemicals stored in the shed.

  • Rake the front of the fence.

  • Weed the flower garden bed behind the blueberry enclosure.

  • Plant seeds indoors, if desired. ï‚· Plan tulip dig with the COMO children. Coordinate around Mother’s Day with Priscilla Rouquayrol (or delegate).

  • Turn the compost.

  • Apply Rose Tone on the climbing rose bushes in front of the fence.

​

Late Spring

  • Weed the flower beds.

  • Rake the wood chips back into the beds.

  • Turn the compost.

  • Weed pollinator garden.

  • Coordinate plant days with Priscilla (or delegate) for COMO Preschoolers and SGC volunteers (potato, onions, peas in early May). All other vegetables are to be planted in mid to late May.

  • The chair should set up a volunteer schedule with dates, times, and responsibilities - send these dates to the Communications Secretary to put on the SGC website calendar—reminders sent to committee members weekly.

  • Add chemical solutions to the fish pond and clean it, as needed (every time water is added, chemicals are added).

  • Trim down the pollinator garden bed.

 

Summer​

  • Weed all beds and perimeter as needed.

  • Water areas where irrigation does not exist, including around the perimeter and blueberry enclosure.

  • Transplant plants, as needed.

  • Spray NEEM on apple trees and roses as needed.

  • Apply Quantum on all beds every ten days.

  • Trim rose bushes in front.

 

Fall clean up: see items listed above for spring cleanup.

  • Plant tulip bulbs and garlic with COMO children. Arrange a date with Priscilla (or delegate).

  • Empty all ceramic planters, rinse and move into the shed.

  • Sprinkle biochar over all the beds.

  • Lay Seaweed on all the beds.

  • Move the cattle panels to new beds.

  • Move the Tomato trellis system to new beds.

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History

In 1997, Bunny O'Callahan, along with other member's, spearheaded the SGC's role in the COMO Children's Garden. Today children and teens (ages 5-15) learn about nature through gardening in partnership with the Stonington Community Center “the COMO”.
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Renovation

In 2019-2020 Deb Dodds led a fundraising campaign to transform the Children’s Learning Garden. The garden was fully renovated by adding new sod, ten raised vegetable/flower beds, a beautifully planted water pond, a blueberry and strawberry enclosure, and a garden shed fully stocked with all the tools that little and big gardeners need.
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Built together

Local craftspeople, merchants, artists, friends, members of the SGC, and the local Boy Scout troop all pitched in to donate and help make the garden come to life. Now the COMO Children’s Learning Garden is not only a place to learn but a beautiful respite for walkers, visitors, garden “aficionados,” as well as the whole community to enjoy seasonally.
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No till Soil Philosophy

Local craftspeople, merchants, artists, friends, members of the SGC, and the local Boy Scout troop all pitched in to donate and help make the garden come to life. Now the COMO Children’s Garden is not only a place to learn but a beautiful respite for walkers, visitors, garden “aficionados,” as well as the whole community to enjoy seasonally.

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Educational Programs

The various recreational structures throughout the enclosed garden and open space provide a safe and secure place to play. The COMO staff created the gardening curriculum, “Mother Nature”, which integrates the different stages of growth in the garden, including perennials, annuals, and a full array of vegetables and berries.

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Pollinator Pathway

The SGC volunteers work with the children to learn about seed planting, cultivation, and finally harvesting. The prized produce is taken back to the COMO kitchen where the children learn how to prepare, cook, and enjoy fresh food, encouraging healthy eating habits.

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