Community Gardens: A Continuing Tradition

The community garden program has been a part of Oskaloosa for over 6 decades.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The community garden is a longtime Oskaloosa tradition, going back more than six decades. The OCSD Glendale Garden can trace its roots back to when William Penn College owned the ground, and a professor started the community garden.

Gardeners and garden facilitators were on hand to talk about the opportunity to utilize the community service. Some gardeners utilize the space because of poor conditions in their own yards, or lack of a yard altogether.

Mahaska County ISU Extension Horticulturist Suzette Striegel was on hand to help answer questions about the crops being grown, and what types of crops could be planted.

Striegel said that each plot has its own rules and different accommodations.

The biggest garden crop at the food plots is tomatoes, and lots of potatoes are planted as well.

“Only things that are legal,” joked Ron Van Heuvelen, facilitator of the OCSD Glendale Garden.

“The only thing I ask people to do is clean up at the end of the season,” added Van Heuvelen. “If you clean it up, it makes it pretty easy to get it going again next year.”

Many of those who garden at the plots talk with each other, and they form their own little communities. Van Heuvelen himself has gardened at the OCSD Glendale Garden for over 30 years.

“All of us up here enjoy gardening,” added Van Heuvelen. “It’s always nice to find people who enjoy gardening as much as you do.”

Where do all those extra garden vegetables end up? “I have neighbors who all get garden packages,” says Van Heuvelen.