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“It’s kind of like a magnet … one person comes and it seems like more show up.”
That’s how Dave Shelton, Luverne, explains the camaraderie among those who rent plots at the Luverne Community Gardens.
“It’s beautiful out here in the mornings and others come in the evening to avoid the heat of the day,” he said about the busier times of day.
Lynette Jauert, Luverne, coordinates the community gardens on city-owned land on the edge of town on East Dodge Street.
“We exchange ideas, give each other tips, check out all the other plants,” she said.
“I also hear conversations about vacation plans, updates on family members, all that stuff.”
Community gardener Terry Althoff agreed.
“We talk about gardening, but not all the talk is about gardening,” he said.
And they share in the work, as well as the information.
Althoff, for example, made green sticks for gardeners to mark their plots to indicate they are on vacation and others can water their plants.
There are sixteen 10’ by 10’ plots in each of the three gardens. Gardeners rent one or more plots for $15 per season.
There were a couple of open plots this season and Jauert encouraged anyone interested in renting space at the community gardens for next year to contact City Hall to get on a waiting list.
A tiller, weed eater, mower, gardening tools, kneeling bench, grass clippings for mulch and a water source with a hose and wheel are all included.
“Holly Sammons at the city was a driving force behind this, and most of it is funded by grants,” Jauert said.
Current gardeners are the best advertisers.
“The soil is fantastic here, there’s plenty of sun, and they provide everything you need,” Althoff said, “it’s easy and convenient.”
A wide variety of ages take advantage of the community gardens, according to Jauert.
“We have some families that garden together, even one family that has three generations out here,”Jauert said. “We also have a lot of retired teachers and retirees in general; there’s a real nice mix.”
Althoff is one of those retired teachers who have a passion for the community gardens.
“We really appreciate how it’s all organic; there are no pesticides,” he said. “We like having fresh produce and knowing where it comes from. That’s important to us.”
He and his wife, Deb, have been gardening at the community gardens for six seasons. He built two trellis arches that allow him to grow three varieties of squash vertically.
“My wife lays out our plots and plants them, and then I come out through the season and weed and take care of it,” Althoff said.
Althoff and Shelton both have smaller gardens at home, but they said the community gardens offer more opportunity to enjoy their hobby.
“Certain plants need more sun; squash, onions and others do really well out here in the sun,” Shelton said.
Shelton is growing cabbage, pumpkins and other vegetables in his plots.
“I grew up a farm kid and this is as close as I can get to farming now,” he said.
“It’s my hobby. Some guys golf, but I’m not good at that,” Shelton said. “So I stick to gardening.”