Community Garden takes root

By Warren Cobb | Managing Editor

The Folly Green Team was established a few years ago to promote green events and activities on the island. One of their many initiatives is a Community Garden. With the help of the City of Folly Beach and the Folly Beach Exchange Club, the Green Team has found a sizeable plot on West Michigan Avenue just east of Sandbar Lane, and is prepping for planting.

According to Teresa Marshall, who, along with Nancy Smith will co-manage the garden, it is intended to provide a scenic site where residents can sit, garden, and enjoy the day. A few lucky Folly residents can now apply for a plot. Sixteen 4 x 8-foot raised beds will be offered on a first come first serve basis for a yearly fee of $100 to grow vegetables, flowers, herbs or a mixture of all.

The team has created a list of rules for the garden space as well as Code of Conduct when working at the garden. Some of these include the usual standards: plots must be maintained year-round, gardeners can’t leave anything behind such as tools or trash, invasive species are discouraged. Some of the rules are more Folly-centric: no illegal plants are to be grown, smoking, drinking and illegal drugs are not allowed, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol while in the garden is forbidden.

The team has established a support crew to help gardeners get the most of their plots, including Folly locals and master gardeners Becky Greene and Adam Berens of Cultivated Landscapes.

Full-time Folly Beach residents interested in applying for a raised bed plot should contact Teresa Marshall at teresa.marshall56@hotmail.com. For the $100 annual fee, you will get your plot, cultivated soil, and access to gardening expertise. The fee cycle runs Oct. 1, 2015 to Aug. 31, 2016. Each gardener will be required to sign a liability waiver outlining the terms of their participation for the garden. A waiting list will be maintained in case more residents apply than the number of plots available.

Also, an informational meeting for potential gardeners will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at the Community Center. 

“The Green Team is very excited about this endeavor,” Marshall says. “We believe the community garden will make a positive impact in our community.”

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