clarkstoncommunitycenter.org

The Clarkston Community Garden, which started under the vision and leadership of Clarkstonian Sherrill Terry in 2002, contains more than 20 active garden plots on the south end of the CCC athletic field, and is usually the first greenery seen in Clarkston each spring.  This bountiful organic garden was begrudgingly coaxed from an untended kudzu patch atop hard-pan Georgia red clay, in what was once the end-zone of the Clarkston High School football field..

Gardeners' hard work pays off at the Clarkston Community Garden.

Years of mulching, constant attention and kudzu-pulling have now produced one of the most talked-about community gardens in metro Atlanta. Among the garden's early partners was The Atlanta Community Food Bank's Community Gardens Project which provided great assistance through gardening expertise, volunteer help, tools, plants and seeds.

Gardeners share tools on-site, weigh and record their successes, and share garden secrets in monthly meetings at the CCC complete with refreshments. The participants include long-time Clarkston-area residents alongside refugee gardeners from many lands including Somalia, Bosnia and Vietnam. Participants in this all-volunteer organization have included green thumbs from Refugee Family Services, Georgia Mutual Assistance Consortium and the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf. The program elects officers annually. Produce is often shared among gardeners and there are plans to open a produce market.

The year-round Clarkston Community Garden yields over 2,700 pounds of vegetables and flowers annually. For more information on how to be involved, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the CCC at 404-508-1050

2011 Clarkston Community Garden Rules and Responsibilities

1. Dues are $40/year.  $30 payable to the Clarkston Community Center and $10 cash or check made out to the name of the CCGarden President or Treasurer for garden petty cash.
2. We are an organic garden.  Environmentally harmful chemical herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers are not allowed.  Seedlings from retail nurseries are acceptable.  Compost from DeKalb County or the electric company, as well as composted manure, is permitted.
3. Gardeners agree to supply their own seeds and plants.  Do not take tools from the premises.  To use the tiller, contact one of the officers or the tool shed manager.
4. Gardeners agree to pay dues by March 15, 2011, and begin preparing and planting plots no later than April 15, 2011.  If a plot is not prepared or planted by April 15 the garden plot will be re-assigned.  Dues are forfeited.
5. Gardeners agree to record the weight of produce harvested from their plots.  Scales and recording notebook are in the tool shed.  Keys will cost $10 to replace if lost.
6. Gardeners agree to obey DeKalb County watering restrictions.  A water faucet and hose will be provided near the garden.  Always turn off the water and roll up hose after use.
7. Gardeners agree to attend their plots at least once per week. If you are unable to meet this requirement you are required to get a substitute to check on your plot. If you know you will not be able to harvest from your garden, and welcome other gardeners harvesting your crops, please place a “Helping Hand” (located in the shed) in your plot.
8. Gardeners agree, if they must abandon their plot for any reason during the year, to notify the gardening leadership immediately so the plot can be reassigned.  Dues are forfeited.
9. Gardeners agree to attend at least four monthly meetings a year February – October and work on at least one community job or team.
10. Children under 12 are permitted in the garden only with parent or adult supervisor.  Amplified music is not permitted.  Pets must be leashed at all times. NO pets within 5 feet of any garden plot. All pet matter must be picked up and disposed of in a proper receptacle outside the fence.
11. Gardeners agree to be courteous to other members of the garden and leave their plots alone.  If you have a concern about someone’s plot, talk to that member, and, if necessary, report the issue to the garden president.
12. Gardeners agree to be courteous and respectful to other gardeners, CCC Staff and Volunteers in all correspondence by email, phone, and in person.
13. Vining plants must be controlled to stay within your own plot.  If you trellis crops, plant them where they will not shade out your neighbor’s crops.  Harvest only from your assigned plot, unless you have permission to do so from other gardeners.
14. Garden plots must be kept free of rocks, debris and weeds.  Discard organic material (no meat, bones, kudzu, or morning glories) in the compost pile.
    

The garden will be open during daylight hours for the growing season.  CCC office 404-508-1050   email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

We are happy you are gardening with us.  Please know that when you do so you assume the risk.