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Applications available for community garden

Johns Creek gardeners can start signing up for a chance to land a 4-foot-by-8-foot raised bed at the new community garden at Newtown Park.

Leadership Johns Creek, who conceived the idea of the community garden, has posted application forms on the Garden Association's website. Gardeners will be selected by lottery May 1, about the time the beds will be constructed.

To be eligible for a plot, one must be a member of the Johns Creek Garden Association. Membership costs $10 annually, and garden plots will cost $60, but seniors pay $25. The deadline for applications and fees will be April 30.

The organization is looking for help in building the garden beds, mulching, and developing educational programs. Forms and contacts are also available on the Garden Association's website.

The community garden will be located on some empty space next to a future senior center.

The City Council gave final approval for the garden on April 12, and planting time will be in mid-May.

The garden area will measure 100 feet by 40 feet, and will be built by the "Carpe Diem" team of Leadership Johns Creek. The City will provide water but will not incur any other expenses related to the garden.

The group has received commitments of material from two landscape companies, Home Depot, Newtown Park Community Foundation, Ciba Vision, North Fulton Master Gardeners, and Whole Foods Market of Johns Creek. Planters will be designed to be moveable if necessary.

The garden will involve seniors, adults and families, providing exercise, education, healthy food, and help create a sense of community. Produce can only be used by the growers unless it's donated.

There will be rules limiting the use of pesticides and herbicides.

Community gardens have been established in several surrounding communities, such as Alpharetta, Roswell, Norcross, and Suwanee. This would be Johns Creek's first community garden.