While two of them do not have a timeline yet, one of the gardens is anticipated to be ready for gardeners to plant in September, Kelly said. This garden is in partnership with Harris County Precinct 4 Community Outreach.
"We do know we're going to do some scholarship-based and some where people can rent the space so people who have apartments and want to garden and want to grow their own things can," Kelly said.
Kelly said Precinct 4 offered the farmers market land on its master-planned property on Hwy. 249 and Holderrieth Road. The garden will be 4 feet by 30 feet and have five raised beds, one of which will be Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant; one will be dedicated for veterans to use for free with scholarships; one will be specifically for students; and the last two gardens will be open to the general community.
In addition, Kelly said there are future plans to put a greenhouse and tower gardens on the property owned by Precinct 4.
Kelly said the goal is to make the community gardens cost-effective and affordable so the cost to sign up will not be more than $40 per season. There will also be some scholarships available, and the market is providing all of the seeds and starter plants along with some basic tools on-site in case people do not have their own.
The funding for the gardens at the Precinct 4 property will be via grants from Precinct 4, according to Kelly.
Another two gardens will be outside of the Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library as well as a lot with the city of Tomball, Kelly said. Both of those will be funded by the farmers market dunk tank fundraising event that will take place June 18.
Kelly said the Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library community gardens will be small raised beds with a combination of flowers and vegetables specifically geared toward younger children to encourage the younger generation to become farmers.
“We are completely geared with the university library to try to encourage the next growth to empower children to want to become farmers,” Kelly said.
The community garden that is in partnership with the city of Tomball has been delayed due to the city needing the space for its impound lot while the new impound lot is built, Kelly said. That garden will also be 4 feet by 30 feet with raised beds; however, these beds will more than likely be smaller than the ones at the Precinct 4 property.
She said she also wants the one in the city to be available for displaced citizens to feel welcome to have a garden so they can grow their own food.
Kelly said she has developed a handbook for gardeners with guidelines on what they need to do to take care of their plots. It includes rules, such as gardeners need to maintain and keep their garden clean, water plants on a regular basis, and all plants must come from an approved source. Those who want to take part in the community garden must apply and either pay the seasonal fee or apply for a scholarship.
Gardeners are not required to give back any of the produce they grow and are not required to participate in or sell at the farmers market, according to Kelly.
