EXPLORE THE MIDLAND HEALTH COMMUNITY GARDEN

Attached photo courtesy of Tasa Richardson - Midland Health

By Barbara Porsch, Permian Basin Master Gardener

It is always around this time of year that people start talking about, or at least thinking about, growing some good tomatoes, peppers, and other fresh veggies.   But what is a person to do if they live in an apartment or someplace without a yard? Boy howdy, do I have a deal for you.  Check out the Midland Health Community Garden behind the F. Marie Hall Outpatient Center, formerly known as West Campus, at 4214 Andrews Highway.

The fenced acreage there contains 34 beds plus several wheelchair-accessible raised planters. These beautiful beds were constructed from limestone donated by TexaStone Quarries in Garden City.    Ardmore Institute of Health was instrumental in constructing the water catchment system. Midland Memorial Foundation was also a donor. 

Each of these beds is 5 x 13 and can be rented for $16 a season or $32 for the whole year. Water is available at each bed, and tools are in the on-site shed. There is also a composting area. There is soil in the beds, but one might want to refresh it for optimum results.

In 2014, Midland Health began a campaign to make Midland a “healthy city,” encouraging people to grow and eat more healthy food, and the idea of a community garden grew from that.  The garden was opened on August 13, 2016, so this is almost their 10-year anniversary.  Master Gardeners consulted with them in the early stages.

If I had been thinking, I would have rented one and planted it full of asparagus.  I would be a happy lady now.  I have a friend who planted one full of black-eyed peas with a goal of harvesting enough for a year. She is one happy lady.

There is a wealth of information on the web about the garden.  Go to https://www.midlandhealth.org/main/community-garden. There is information about the garden and the application process.  Or you can call Carla Ruiz at 432-221-4510.

If you have questions, call the AgriLife office in Odessa at 498-4071 or Midland at 686-4700.  Additional information and our blog for access to past articles are available at www.westtexasgardening.org.  Click on resources.