Senior Center/ Housing Gardens:

The City Council was presented with a working proposal for the management of the Raised Bed Gardens at the Senior Center / Housing. There was also a request of tools and other details poorly presented at the meeting. However, it is clear that the Senior Council should review and present their desires for support and management of the gardens.

The questions to be answered is why is this City Business when all other management is being handled by the Corp for Better Housing? They are going to maintain the park, why not this aspect of their senior housing complex and center? That was not brought up.

In addition, shouldn't there be a drip system installed so that the seniors are not lugging a hose up and down the walk way. Isn't this going to be a tripping hazard and cause other problems as the hose needs to be shared by 92 people and there are only 4 spigots. Why not a drip system or a spay system that goes on 2 10 minutes waterings in the morning... with about an hour between each session. (This allows the water to get into the plant during the first watering and into the soil for the second)...

Composting in a community garden should only be done in a container that will heat up to kill bugs and seeds... The GT Maintenance Department gave away such containers they didn't cost 800.00 That is just nuts..

In addition, shovels are not needed in a raised bed.. hand tools or child size tools are better the long handles are not needed and are counter productive... Harbor Freight and Big Lots are sufficient and less expensive suppliers of these tools...

What is needed are a few water proof sturdy benches or seats that can be used by seniors to move to their work area...

As to it being a garden for the Resident's First... Hello again if this is going to be true it should be at CBH's Management that pays for the tool bank and irrigation system.

A water line down the center with say 3 or 5 drip or spray points per each plot would be sufficient... a spray line can be capped if not needed for a particular crop. It is clear the acting city manager has not investigated the operation of a Community Garden, or gardens in general.

Using a drip system is the best use of water and eliminates the need for a hose... Perhaps the water company could donate and set up the system as a demonstration for the rest of the community.

There should be a way that a Senior and a Youth could Partner in the experience of the Garden.