Williston’s Oliver Gardner Community Garden Makes a Move

By Aaron DaCosta

In late April, the Oliver Gardner Community Garden moved their raised beds, stakes, hoses, and rain barrels across town to Williston Central School.

The raised beds were moved and rebuilt at the new site.

The site had been located behind Gardener’s Supply near Taft Corners for the past seven years. The land owner had allowed the garden group to set up there and provided the space at no charge, with the understanding that the land would eventually be developed. The gardeners received word last summer that they needed to vacate the site by October 2 and they started looking for a new home.

With the assistance of the Vermont Community Garden Network, Garden Leaders Linda Chiasson and Sue Barry reached out to the Williston Central School’s principal and superintendent’s office to make the transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. “We are going to collaborate with the school, I think it will work very well,” said Linda.

Gardener’s Supply delivers the beautiful new soil.

While the generosity and work of several Gardener’s Supply employees helped start the garden, the site has grown into a more community space.

The site, which is the only organic community garden in Williston, had 10 members last season and will be expanding this year. To offset the cost of the move and expansion, the garden worked with VCGN to apply and earn a competitive New England Grassroots Environment Fund grant.

The garden has decided to help students from the Williston Central School with their garden during the summer break. The new site will include a renovated flowerbed and beds designated for donations to the Williston Food Shelf.

The 12 new raised beds nearly double the footprint of the Williston Central School garden.

Hurray for the Oliver Gardner Community Garden’s new home!

With the new location, and the beautiful weather we have been having, VCGN is excited to see this garden grow!