Community Garden gets research grant

The Saratoga Community Garden will receive $19,924 for agricultural experiments and data collection in 2016 from the United States Department of Agriculture. One project will compare three types of garden beds. A hügelkultur bed will be constructed from an inner core of logs and wood scrap which is covered with dirt and humus. It is intended to trap water and act as a continuous source of compost. This experimental bed will be compared with a typical raised bed and another covered with hoops and fabric. A high school student employee will monitor and weigh produce.

A second study focuses on pollinators. It will place 10-by-10 foot hügelkultur mounds of flowering plants at four locations in Saratoga. A high school student employee will observe and identify insects throughout the growing season. There is currently no longitudinal data on pollinators in Carbon County.

A third high school student will create and maintain a website about the project and link it to other garden information, as well as place data on Facebook.

For further information, contact project scientist Cindy Blomquist, 307-321-3880. The public is invited to attend Community Garden Board meetings held the second Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at Saratoga Town Hall.