Atlanta Library's free community garden certainly has the right name. It's called the "Little Rabbit Garden." This means all Atlantans can join in. The townspeople are already known as the school's mascot, the Rabbits.
The free community garden will be dedicated 10 a.m. Friday -- come hop by.
The newly installed garden already has some 30 buckets planted with vegetables in wooden frames.
And on Monday of this week, the garden's two 4-foot-by-8-foot raised metal beds were being filled with compost and fertilizer. Doing this work in preparation for Friday's reception were librarian and project director Kendra Harrell and Cass County Master Gardener novice Teri Lovely.
The professionally installed garden is located just outside the library building's east side.
"We will be growing vegetables and fruits that will be free to the community," said Harrell.
The garden will serve as a demonstration of how healthy foods can be grown in small spaces, she continued.
"We can have many programs throughout the year around our garden and seed program. This is all new to me. I'm learning about gardening, too."
The garden plot is being added in conjunction with re-launching of the library's seed packet program.
"Just recently in past months, we checked out 750 seed packets to our library patrons. We want our community garden to supplement local food assist programs such as that which churches and food banks provide for people who need food."
The garden will be a permanent addition to the library's services and will be expected to continue, perhaps by involving other of the community's gardeners. The project's total cost is estimated to be $5,500, Harrell said. So far, more than $2,000 in funding and labor has been received.
"Any funding received that surpasses the cost of the project will be retained for future support in coming years," Harrell said.
Librarian Kendra Harrell, left, and volunteer helper Teri Lovely are mixing the earthworm castings for fertilizer with the compost at Atlanta Librarys community garden. Next to come is perlite, an agent for aeration, water retention and drainage of the soil. Photo by Neil Abeles.
Patience July, 8, is curious to see the seed packets which are on display and ready for checkout at the Atlanta Public Library. The library is adding a community garden. Patience is the daughter of Jasmine and Ryan July. Photo by Neil Abeles.