North Royalton residents who love to garden can gain a further sense of community by joining the community garden. North Royalton is lucky enough to have two! The North Royalton Community Garden and the NCC Gardens, hosted by the NCC Solutions, Incorporated. Both are organic gardens, that provide water and the tools necessary for successful gardening.
The Gardens at NCC Solutions, Incorporated Garden is located at 12627 York Road. It hosts a 120′ x 80′ garden. A portion of the garden plots are reserved for their residents and the rest can be utilized by the overall community. A portion of the garden offer raised beds for wheelchair access.
This garden has three sizes of plots, measuring 4′ x 10′, 10′ x 12′ and 10′ x 20′. The cost to utilize the beds will be $15, $36 and $60 respectively. Currently, there are still small plots available for gardening this year, but only the 4′ x 10′ plots. The fee will allow for the use of the plot and water. Sally Tetreault and Marigene Margevicius are Garden Co-Coordinators. Residents who wish to garden this year can call Tetreault at 440-494-5095 or email her at nccgarden@yahoo.com to reserve a plot. Presently there are only 4′ x 10′ plots available for this year. Spring clean up is scheduled for Saturday, May 4.
“There are no age, residence or income restrictions, over 18 please, that will allow you to make a difference to your families and community with optional donations of surplus organic produce to the North Royalton Food Bank associated with our friends at Royal Redeemer Church,” said Tetreault. She said that at least 200 pounds of produce are donated.
The North Royalton Community Garden is celebrating its tenth growing season. It was built in 2009 and started up in 2010, is located on 14788 State Road in Memorial Park. “We are extremely proud of the growth, progress and community spirit this garden has brought to so many over the years, said Garden Coordinator, Dejana Cinquepalmi. “The individuals and families that we have come through the garden have all left with new knowledge of gardening and growing a sustainable food source for themselves while sharing with others. It gives us all pleasure to be able to garden from the start of the season making planting plans, making new friends along the way, learning new skills and harvesting the freshest of vegetables. Gardeners have come and gone over these past ten years, yet our community garden still has nine gardeners that started with us in 2010 and another five that started in 2011. What is that old saying ‘if you build it, they will come’, and so they have.”
“There is always an interest in gardening, whether you just want to try your hand at it or do not have space to build it, or are just tired of fighting off the creatures that destroy gardens, our garden is a perfect place,” said Cinquepalmi. “ Last year our garden exploded in flowers like never before, truly a beautiful sight to see. We take pride in our community garden by keeping it well maintained, weed free, sharing our produce with our local seniors and having a place to share common goals and interests. We are very excited to share information with each other and learn from others experiences to produce stronger plants with a higher vegetable yield throughout the season. Our gardeners have come out strong on workdays to set up the garden for all to enjoy. Many THANKS goes out to our community members, businesses, students and the parks/recreation department for all their help throughout the years, they truly have made this community garden ‘A Beautiful Place to Grow’.”
Opening day for the garden was Saturday, April 13. “This past weekend we rebuilt rotted plots boards and added soil with the help of the NR High School students who did an outstanding job helping,” said Cinquepalmi.
At this time, all of the North Royalton Community Garden plots are full, but anyone interested for next year are encouraged to call, as some may still become available. Those residents interested can contact Gloria Sheppard at 440-237-7212 or through email at nrcg2015@yahoo.com. Visit our facebook page at North Royalton Community Garden for gardening tips and community garden info, at www.facebook.com/pages/North-Royalton-Community-Garden.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer