In 2011 a group of concerned neighbors looked for a way to improve their quality of life, health, safety, and social interaction in their diverse community located just north of the Marietta Square. Neighbors did not know their neighbors. Part of this neighborhood is a certified “food desert” with no nearby grocery store and limited access to healthy food. The creation of the North Marietta Neighborhood Community Garden (NMNCG) helped change all that! The key word is “Neighborhood.” Our garden is a collaboration of Marietta City School District, Cobb Head Start School, and Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County. Food Well Alliance, local businesses and private donors provide resources and support. The once unused and overgrown section of the Head Start School playground was transformed into a horticultural and educational resource. Anyone in the neighborhood can lease a garden bed and grow healthy, pesticide-free food; enjoy nature; interact and relate experiences and expertise with other neighbors, friends and youth. NMNCG and the school share the grassy green space for student activities and neighborhood events.
The community garden has grown to include twenty-four raised 4X8 beds, including two beds for disabled gardeners; two in-ground “mini-farms” for families wanting a larger space; a corn patch; herb garden; blueberries; strawberries; elderberries; and figs. The Giving Garden grows food for local food pantries and neighbors in need. In addition, NMNCG provides space for the Marietta Tree Keepers Plant Nursery. Master Gardener volunteers help our gardeners with plant selection and management. They learn organic and eco-friendly methods, including integrated pest management (IPM). Garden members maintain their own plot and help with general garden maintenance, mowing green space, and composting.
NMNCG is also an outdoor classroom for 180 Head Start preschoolers where teachers
reinforce curriculum objectives in natural science, math, and healthy eating. It includes a Children’s Garden where Master Gardeners help students learn about growing and harvesting food.
We are especially proud of our large pollinator garden which attracts beneficial insects and provides a colorful landscape display. Students learn about the life cycle of butterflies right before their eyes. NMNCG is a Monarchs Across Georgia Certified Habitat, Certified NWF Wildlife Habitat, Certified Monarch Waystation, part of the Rosalyn Carter Butterfly Trail, Cornell University Nest Watch, Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, and Journey North Monarch Butterfly Tracker. NMNCG participates annually in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
A volunteer group of Master Gardeners, garden members, and neighbors meet most Friday mornings, year-round. The Friday Team plays in the dirt, provides “teachable moments” for students, grows and harvests donation food and shares garden knowledge.
