SOUTH PADRE ISLAND — Gardeners in this coastal area with any level of experience will have an opportunity to perfect their skills and grow plants of their choosing in this community setting.
The Parks and Keep SPI Beautiful committee is seeking its next set of gardeners for its Community Garden Program.
Four participants will be assigned a box in the city’s Butterfly Park located on Gulf Boulevard.
Participants will be able to utilize the gardening box from August through January.
Soil and a water source will be provided to the box.
Additionally, there is a composter in the park that participants can utilize.
The committee is going to draw four names in July or August.
Those interested in participating in the program should email SPI Parks and Recreation manager Debbie Huffman at [email protected] or call (956) 761-8168 by July 13.
A fifth box has been added in the park so if someone’s name isn’t drawn they can participate in the program’s “sharing box” and add their name into the drawing for the next growing season.
“I think it’s been a great program,” Huffman said. “I think if people are interested in gardening, it’s a great opportunity for them to be outdoors and do something fun.”
The community garden started as a pilot program in August of 2019 so the committee could see if there was an interest.
In all, 11 people were entered into the drawing in 2019 and four spots were drawn.
Huffman said the gardeners had a wonderful experience and the program was well-received.
“It really did take off. Some of them grew butterfly plants and others grew vegetables,” she said. “When it was time to take them out, there were some plants that were still growing so we decided to let them stay in there until we got the names drawn.”
