Archive for Gardening

Development of 'South 80'

Mariemonters who have had gardens in the South 80 acres during recent years must wonder whether routing the Eastern Corridors through this acreage would eliminate their garden plots. Eighty acres is a lot of ground with 3,484,800 square feet. Although the Eastern Corridor right-of-ways for a connector to State Route 32, passenger rail and bike paths might necessitate relocation of the garden area, my calculations suggest that an ample amount of acreage would remain in which to relocate the gardens.

The Village Administrator’s office indicated that the assigned garden plots were 25 feet by 25 feet square. The first plot cost $6.00 per year and a maximum of ten could be purchased with the last nine costing $1.00 per lot or plot. A total of ten lots would be the equivalent of .143 or just under 1/6th of an acre.

The ground in a flood plain is extremely fertile and produces high yields. Moreover, the ground is quite granular and porous without high clay content and this makes tilling and cultivating less labor intensive. Likewise, in low lying areas the air humidity is high and even though the sandy nature of the soil facilitates the rapid runoff of rain water, dry conditions tend to have less of an effect on crops.

In farm land with surrounding wooded areas, many insects and critters feast on your produce. Deer are indiscriminate feeders whereas raccoons tend to wait until your corn is ripe before making a meal of it. Squirrels just make holes in your tomatoes, and rabbits and groundhogs nibble on your lettuce and spinach. The birds destroy any berries and the insects (the Colorado Potato and Japanese beetles have been the most troublesome in my garden) attack most anything.

Many strategies and a steady chorus of advisors exist to ward off the more troublesome pests. One tactic is to just out produce them. I have tried electric fences for deer without success. I have spread around the urine of multiple species without success. And, at times, I have resorted to just raising vegetables that are either root crops or unappetizing to the interlopers such as peppers, egg plant, ochre,  potatoes, zucchini and other species of squash.

For us city dwellers, the experience of gardening is more about the exhilaration of

being in the great outdoors and the enjoyment of getting your hands in the soil. The last year or two, bean and corn farmers have been richly rewarded with high commodity prices, but it is unlikely that small scale gardening will generate much reward other than providing vegetables for your home table and a few for the farmer’s market.

However, in the South 80 the ‘gardening experience’ would be enhanced if there were a reliable water supply, electricity and storage facilities for tillers and supplies. Lugging water containers, garden supplies and tillers from home each time you tend your plot is a nuisance and entails heavy lifting. And, I am told, that if you leave equipment or supplies at the site, they are often stolen or vandalized.

I think the problems with storage, access to water and security are solvable and a solution would greatly improve the experience of gardening and increase the number of Mariemonters desirous of having a garden.  To insure that none of these recommendations violates zoning regulations, I consulted Dennis Malone, the Building Commissioner. He indicated that constructing these moveable structures was permitted and that building permits would not be required.

  1. Quality water tanks that come in many shapes and contain between 1500 and 2000 gallon capacity cost less than $1000 dollars installed. A vertical round tank could easily be placed on a study, but simple, 2-3 foot high wooden platform to increase the water pressure from gravity and protect it from flood waters. Trucked in water or water periodically pumped from Whiskey Creek could replenish the supply at nominal cost.
  2. Home Depot, Tractor Supply and other builders supply houses offer a broad range of sheds (see the pictures below of one or two offered at the Home Depot) that could accommodate most any need for storage of equipment and supplies. The costs range between $300 dollars for the self-constructed but ample variety to $2500 for Cadillac models.(10’x12’) For security, sheds can be anchored to a cement slab, footers or 4x4s secured with concrete. This type of construction, would not preclude moving the shed or sheds should massive flood waters develop.
  3. In all probabilities, a low amp power line could be run to the acreage, but this would require coordination with the village and power company. The question of billing would be an issue. As an alternative, a generator could be used to pump water or repair equipment. One big advantage to having an electric line is a security light to deter vandalism and theft and assist the police is their oversight at night.

Mariemont is a great destination and place to live. The gardens are an impressive amenity that builds community. Please, share your views and let’s see if we can make the gardens in Mariemont one of our featured attractions.

Recently, the Mariemont Preservation Society developed a grant program and when one board member was asked if they might consider a grant to subsidize the garden improvements, the answer was yes.

 

    

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