Gardening: A Community Garden Hidden in Plain Sight

For years I thought that our town did not have a community garden. In fact after doing some “digging” I discovered that last Saturday was the opening day for the 78 plots hidden in plain sight in a sunny open area a block from Taylor Park.

Our community garden allows Millburn-Short Hills residents to grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs that they don’t have the space or conditions to grow otherwise.

Pam Hulshizer, the garden’s coordinator, started the volunteer task as one of the Short Hills Garden Club’s typical two year assignments. That was 17 years ago. Her enthusiasm and dedication to the concept remains unwavering.

She approaches each new garden plot allocation process just as each gardener looks at their individual plot—with the excitement a clean slate presents. Since plot sizes vary she takes a very personal approach, trying to match available spaces to each potential applicant’s skill and preferences. Pam checks to see that there is the level of commitment that the hard work of maintaining a plot requires. People can share plots to lighten the load, both in effort necessary and sharing the yield if they have a successful harvest.

Each year there is a waiting list for plots but typically if one does not get a plot on the list the first year they will the next. Pam particularly enjoys calling to tell people a spot is available for them. She often has people tell her “You made my day!”

The seasonal rental fee is currently $40 and covers water use. Just like the produce in each plot, friendships have grown between people with plots next to each other who might not have met otherwise. Everyone generously shares information and tips.

The land the plots occupy was donated by Mrs. John Taylor to the Neighborhood Association in the 20s with the stipulation it not be build on and be preserved for community use. About 35 years ago the Short Hills Garden Club volunteered to get involved in turning it over to garden plots. The concept caught on quickly. Now each plot has its own history in the garden’s tapestry. Last year benches were installed that add to the social atmosphere and new gravel pathways in some areas make the endless struggle with weeds a little easier.

While it turns out Millburn has a long history in community gardening, completely new gardens are springing up in other places, including 60 community gardens at the Robert F. Lederer Youth Center Community Garden in Washington, which will be dedicated April 30. On April 25, Morris County Master Gardeners will be part of the grand opening of new community gardens in Roxbury, NJ Neighboring Chatham has the establishment of a community garden on their 2009 township agenda.