Dirty work: sharing a love for gardening in Saranac Lake

Tri-lakes gardeners participating in a community greening project in Saranac Lake this summer say it's one of the best ways to get outside,...

Nick and Gemma Fielder tend to a raised bed in their plot in the Common Ground Gardens, while Ann Monroe, in the distance, hauls weeds to the compost pile. Photo: Todd Moe

Tri-lakes gardeners participating in a community greening project in Saranac Lake this summer say it's one of the best ways to get outside, connect with neighbors, supply people with affordable food, and create something beautiful for the public to enjoy.

During a time of social-distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Todd Moe found a group of gardeners at the Common Ground Garden in Saranac Lake eager to gather in the dirt.

Todd MoeDirty work: sharing a love for gardening in Saranac Lake

Ann Monroe pulls weeds, plants in the wrong place, in the garden.  Photo:  Todd Moe
Ann Monroe pulls weeds, plants in the wrong place, in the garden. Photo: Todd Moe
 Community gardens have played a major role in addressing the effects of the pandemic, serving as a space that not only provides fresh local veggies, but also as a source of social support and emotional well-being during this time of crisis.

Ann and John Monroe recently retired and are new residents of the Adirondacks.  They moved here from Mexico, New York, near Lake Ontario.   

John Monroe hoes a row in one of the plots in the Common Ground Garden at the start of the growing season.  Photo: Todd Moe
John Monroe hoes a row in one of the plots in the Common Ground Garden at the start of the growing season. Photo: Todd Moe
"We survived our first winter," says Ann. "This is great, so we're happy to be here." 

Their plot includes spinach, lettuce, peas, beets, collards and kale. "Our backyard is small, shady, and deer go through it every day. So, nothing would grow there," says John with a laugh. 

Emily-Bell Dinan is one of the organizers at the Common Ground Garden, and is tending her own plot this summer.  Photo:  Todd Moe
Emily-Bell Dinan is one of the organizers at the Common Ground Garden, and is tending her own plot this summer. Photo: Todd Moe
The Common Ground Garden is on land donated by the Adirondack Medical Center years ago as part of its health heart campaign. 

It includes seasoned and novice gardeners - hospital staff, churches, food pantry volunteers and local gardeners looking for more space.  

It's run entirely by volunteers. Emily-Bell Dinan is one of the organizers who agreed to help re-energize local interest in the Common Ground garden, which now has a presence on Instagram and Facebook. 

         "Agriculture is not easy to take on in the Adirondacks.  It persists, because we all need food."  - Emily-Bell Dinan

 

Dinan grew up in Queens and Brooklyn and has a background as a community organizer and community gardens.  "Getting to find that here, with my new community in Saranac Lake has been fantastic," she says. 

"This is a real inter-generational space, and there's a lot of people coming from a lot of other places, where they may not have met otherwise.  So, there's a lot of authentic engagement."

A new feature in the community garden is a plant trading space near the entrance.  Photo: Todd Moe
A new feature in the community garden is a plant trading space near the entrance. Photo: Todd Moe
Gemma Fielder, and her husband, Nick, moved to Saranac Lake a couple of years ago.   Gemma is one of the organizers behind the community garden.  They both love the outdoors and gardening. 

Gemma and Nick run a catering business and are tending more than one plot this summer.  They want to use everything they grow in their baked goods and other recipes.  "I went to BOCES in high school and said, yeah, this is what I want to do with my life, so it's the dream, you know?" says Nick.

A new sign welcomes visitors to the Common Ground Garden in Saranac Lake.  Photo: Todd Moe
A new sign welcomes visitors to the Common Ground Garden in Saranac Lake. Photo: Todd Moe

Co-organizers Emily-Bell Dinan and Gemma Fielder say this autumn look for signs announcing a harvest festival and pumpkin party.   The goal is a community garden with a new role of improving access to fresh food and a communal space for socializing.

 

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