Mt. Vernon Community Garden breaks ground

Mt. Vernon Community Garden, a group of seven gardening enthusiasts, is celebrating their official ground breaking. The garden plot is located at the intersection of East Seneker Street and South Woodlawn on land provided by the city of Mt. Vernon.
Mt. Vernon Community Garden is an informal group headed up by President Krystal Rice, Secretary Darlene Heikkila and members Don Rogers, Kenny Aughe, Marsha Jones, Colene Trowbridge, Theresa Barnett and Sandy Garoutte. Garoutte and Heikkila are Master Gardeners.
Membership is open to anyone interested in promoting a community garden and expanding their own gardening skills. The group meets alternate Mondays, at 7 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce office. The next meeting is June 17.
Raised garden beds are planned and the first crop will be pumpkins and gourds to be sold at Apple Butter Makin’ Days to raise money for future projects. Justin Hinkle at Mount Vernon Greenhouse and Floral has already started the pumpkin plants. Judy Davis of Miller has donated concrete blocks to build the raised beds. Other local merchants have pledged support in the form of fencing, soaker hoses, and other gardening necessities.
A work day is planned at the garden Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting.
For more information contact Marsha Jones at 417-316-2252 or Darlene Heikkila at 417-631-5912.