Community garden effort ready to sprout

Some may find it difficult to think of spring in the midst of persistent winter weather, but the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department already is looking forward to planting its newest community garden at the Shawnee Park Center.

The demonstration garden is one of about four community gardens in the city. The others are on Fountain Street, North Main Street and Washington Avenue near Washington Park. The effort is one of many projects funded by city revenue generated by Isle Casino Cape Girardeau. Parks and recreation director Julia Thompson said the city is working with the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center and the Healthy Communities Coalition -- a group of individuals from public and private organizations working together to address local nutrition and lifestyle issues -- on the endeavor. Longtime community gardens advocate and volunteer Robert Harris also is involved.

"We're really, really excited about the demonstration garden going in at Shawnee," Thompson said. " ... Once the garden goes in, I think it's going to generate some great interest because it's going to be very visible."

The garden will be at 1157 S. West End Blvd., south of the Shawnee Park Center, and primarily will grow vegetable crops, said community garden coordinator Emily Scifers, as well as herbs and edible flowers. Growing food that will be distributed to families and neighbors helps foster a sense of pride in the work, she said. In addition to her work with community gardens, Scifers co-owns Laughing Stalk Farmstead with her husband and is one of the founders of Cape Riverfront Market.

To help volunteer gardeners learn more about planting, garden design and using plants from the garden, a series of free "green thumb" gardening classes will be available at the Shawnee Park Center, starting at 6 p.m. Tuesday. The classes are offered in conjunction with the University of Missouri Extension.

"[The classes help] generate interest and really show people what they can do at home as far as preparing food or canning food," Scifers said.

The classes are offered periodically through early July. Thompson said people are welcome to attend each class or pick and choose ones that interest them most. People are encouraged to register with the parks and recreation department at 339-6340 as soon as possible before Tuesday's class.

Thompson and Scifers both expect planting to begin in April, weather permitting. A few projects and possible seed planting could take place April 25, the city's Friends of the Parks Day. There also are plans to plant fruit trees on Arbor Day -- Missouri celebrates Arbor Day the first Friday in April -- to create an urban orchard, in addition to the community gardens. The trees will take more patience, Thompson said, so it will be three to five years before any apples or peaches are ready to be picked.

To make any of these efforts possible, residents have to be willing to volunteer, she added. Scifers said volunteers are critical to properly maintain the garden and spread community interest. Volunteer forms are available from the county health center at cgcohealthdept.com. More information is available by calling the city's parks and recreation department.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

835 S. West End Blvd., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

1157 S. West End Blvd., Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Green thumb class schedule

Classes will be at the Shawnee Park Center, 835 S. West End Blvd.

• March 10: Seed starting
• April 7: Organic gardening
• April 21: Design your garden, raised bed, container and lasagna gardening
• May 5: Growing and using herbs
• May 19: Fruit Production
• June 9: Compost and improving your soils
• July 7: Save your harvest -- canning and freezing techniques