The Gardeners

Who we are…

We are a group of neighbors and novice gardeners who care for a small patch of land located on the meadows of the Historic Stark Park, in Manchester, NH.

What we are about…

Our mission is to foster community, education, and care for the land with sustainable organic garden practices.

In the Spring of 2021, Stark Park’s “Walk in the Woods” trails were restored and this patch of land adjacent to the meadow was cleared of invasive species. The original granite boulders along the trail made a curved border around this beautiful, sunny, 5000 square foot patch of land: The perfect spot for a garden! We called ourselves the Stark Farm Community Garden, highlighting the historic aspect of this farmland. Rather than individual plots, as many understand a community garden, this land was envisioned as a single “farm style” collaborative production garden, much like the original historic Stark Farm.

The Indigenous Abenaki nation also farmed this land along the Merrimack River for millennia. To celebrate this rich history, sustainable organic and heirloom practices are bring taught at the garden. Gardeners have planted native vegetables and flowers such as tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, sunflowers, potatoes, other root vegetables, melons, and herbs, many of which were planted here in the 1700’s by the Stark Family. The gardeners were also gifted heirloom Abenaki pole beans by Paul and Denise Pouliot, chief speakers of the Abenaki Nation.

These were planted according to the ancient indigenous “Three Sisters” practice, in which corn, beans and squash are planted together for mutual benefit. Corn provides the pole structure for the climbing beans. The spreading vines of the squash provide ground cover to retain moisture and nutrients and aid in natural pest control. This technique also enhances nitrogen balance of the soil for sustainable growing conditions year and year. Heirloom seeds refer to open pollinated, non-GMO, non-hybrid seeds that can reproduce themselves, so seed harvesting is an important aspect of sustainable farming.

Our garden coordinator is affectionally known as “Farmer Pete.” Pete is a local with a passion for gardening and sustainable farm practices. An engineer by trade and master wood craftsman, he also runs a business called Homegrown, which helps people start their own backyard gardens. Families, children and novice gardeners were encouraged to participate because of the garden’s focus on education and community.

A circle of Adirondack chairs and a picnic table are adjacent to the garden. This is where community happens during breaks or after garden days. We thrive on these “third-spaces” within our city to facilitate safe and essential community connections. Neighbors have caught the vision and stepped up to participate. Many gardeners have brainstormed ideas on how to donate their share of produce, host a Harvest Party, or participate in a local farmer’s market. It has been amazing to watch the diversity and enthusiasm blend as this idea has become a reality. It is bringing the community around a common mission: Having fun, practicality sustainability, and learning to care for the land.

“It has been fun to bring the community together around a common mission: having fun, practicing sustainability and learning to care for the land.”

How it began…