From planting some of the first produce to installing some unique artwork, things have been busy at the Mesa County Libraries Discovery Garden as spring progresses.
- Groups from both Chipeta Elementary and East Middle School have planted leafy green starts and vegetable seeds in the raised beds and community food plot.
- In a collaboration with Chipeta Elementary and local artist Pavia Justinian, an arbor was completed and installed as the entrance to the children’s garden area.
- A raised-bed “book worm” in the children’s garden is almost complete and is looking more and more colorful each day. Soon it will hold a plethora of flowers, veggies, fruits, and herbs.
- A very special thanks to Chris Young of Bella Bolettino Farms in Palisade for the donation of six organic peach trees that are now planted in the fruit orchard and are sprouting their first young leaves.
The Discovery Garden is hosting regular work days from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday throughout May; everyone is welcome and encouraged to come help with a variety of tasks.
The garden is looking for artists to contribute fun and colorful signage for each section of the garden and for other future projects.
For more information or to learn more ways to get involved, please contact Nicole Fitzgerald, volunteer and outreach coordinator for Mesa County Libraries, at volunteer@mcpld.org.
Curious about the garden? Stop by and visit at Fifth Street and Chipeta Avenue. The garden is open from sunrise to sunset.
– Contributed by Brevin Currier