Recently, I ran into someone who told me she’d read one of my articles on gardening — but she was confused. Her husband had told her I lived on a boat, and that couldn’t be right, could it?
She looked puzzled when I told her that yes, I am a live-aboard. I tell you this story because I want to assure you that if I can find garden space, anyone can.
The first and easiest way to find room to garden is by connecting with one of the community gardens in town. The Juneau Community Garden is at 5669 Montana Creek Road. They have 169 plots at $35 each, and 29 smaller climbing beds at $5. In addition to the fee, gardeners are required to do five hours of service to assist each plot (one hour for the smaller beds.) At this time, there are 30 people on the wait list.
The Douglas Community Garden has two locations. The B Street location has 19 plots and is located across from the Douglas Fish and Game office. The Crow Hill site has 29 plots and sits atop the hillside right after the road forks. The size of the plots vary. Price is determined by the dimensions. The DCG also requires five hours of garden service per member. I’ve been told that space is currently available at their Crow Hill site.
Even if you don’t get a plot at either community garden this year, take time to tour the gardens. I love walking around and seeing how people use the space and what they choose to grow. If you happen to see someone at the plot, remember that gardeners are like dog owners. If you show a bit of appreciation for the garden or a word of praise, not only will they glow, they’ll most likely spend a few minutes telling you about it.
If you are unable to get a plot, there are still options for you. Check with friends; most likely you will find someone who has a garden that has fallen into disarray, or could use a hand maintaining it. Even if they don’t have a garden, they might be interested in letting you use their yard in exchange for some of the produce.
I do this type of share with two families. It’s best to start with defining the parameters of who is paying for the materials, and if you are doing all of the gardening or they’re helping out. Then, there’s the issue of how the vegetables and fruit will be divided. As I’ve learned from experience, it’s better to have this conversation at the beginning.
The final way to garden is to use the space you have. My daughter and I live on a 32-foot boat. In the summer I usually have two hanging baskets indoors with basil and parsley. On the covered back deck, I’ve had containers for lettuce, spinach or other greens, kale, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Currently that space is growing winter spinach and kale. I’m also trying to see if I can get a harvest from overwintering my Brussel sprouts and cabbage that didn’t have enough time to mature last summer.
Considering I have two full plots at the community garden, as well as a small plot, and I’m gardening at two other places, maybe I could let go of my back deck garden and take the boat out. But, knowing me, I will probably choose to garden again. This is how I can live on a boat and be a gardener even if it doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense.
One final note of interest: Cooperative Extension is hosting a Get Gardening in 2016! It will be held on Sat. March 12 from 9-12 p.m. at Zach Gordon Youth Center, 396 Whittier St., near Centennial Hall.
• Corinne Conlon is a freelance writer based out of Juneau. She can be reached atdirtgirlgardening@gmail.com.
The Juneau Community Garden’s website is www.juneaucommunitygarden.org.
The Douglas Community Garden’s website is http://www.douglascommunitygardens.org.
