Community Garden Rep Gives Update to Town Council

JUNE 23, 2025 |

Photo – Garden – Bigfoot99 file photo

Last week, the Saratoga Community Garden presented an update to the town council.

During the June 17th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Community Garden representative Dawn Munro provided the governing body with a summary of the 28-member non-profit organization’s yearly activities. Munro began by explaining that the community garden is located on town-owned land at the corner of Cyprus Avenue and South River Street, adding that it was established 14 years ago with the help of two United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, grants.

Munro said the garden houses 14 raised beds for individual use and 12 larger community beds. Additionally, the garden contains a variety of fruit trees. Munro said the newly planted flowers are a pleasant sight.

Munro said the community garden members are raising roughly 20 different kinds of organic vegetables, including carrots and potatoes. Additionally, the plants receive water through a newly installed automatic irrigation system.

Munro said the Saratoga Community Garden maintains a beehive surrounded by pollinator-attracting flowers. The bees can travel up to three miles away from their hive, collecting pollen from agricultural areas and private gardens. Munro said the garden club has also planted two additional flower beds around town to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

Munro said bees help the Saratoga Community Garden engage with the public. Munro added that the garden club also offers tours to kindergarten students, who especially enjoy handling the worms raised on site.

Munro said the amount of fruit and vegetables grown by members varies widely every year. In the past, when food was abundant, the garden club would share the surplus at the farmers market, free of charge. Beginning this year, Munro said all excess produce is being donated to the Saratoga Senior Center.

Munroe said on top of membership fees, the Saratoga Community Garden is funded through an annual dinner called the Pesto Festo. Munro said the fundraiser’s 50 tickets typically sell out quickly.

Munro said the Pesto Festo typically generates $2,000 in revenue. Combined with the membership fees, that funding allows the garden club to purchase seeds and maintenance equipment.

Munro invited the public to come and see the Saratoga Community Garden at the corner of Cyprus Avenue and South River Street.