Apple Valley Garden Club donates Veg Trug

Raised bed will give everyone an opportunity to be part of community garden

Three individuals working on a raised garden bed in a park.

The Apple Valley Garden Club recently donated a veg trug to the Faith Lutheran community garden.

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Published April 15, 2026 - 1:25 p.m.

An American Bald Eagle soared overhead as approximately 25 attendees gathered to bless and dedicate Faith Lutheran’s newest community garden feature. Pastor Cody officiated. Apple Valley Garden Club members were on hand to cut the ribbon for the 3-by-6-foot Veg Trug they so generously donated. Veg Trug is a brand that offers raised garden beds for urban and smaller spaces such as community gardens. The addition of this much appreciated gardening option will offer an easier, raised bed option for anyone with mobility challenges.

Open to the community and free, Faith Lutheran’s 6-foot high fenced-in garden offers 33 miscellaneous-size plots, most measuring 3-by-15. Garden-ready beds include in-ground, raised, and the new handicap accessible, Veg Trug. In addition, 10, 16-inch round, soil-ready Pepper Pipe Planters’ are available. A compost bin is on site, as well as several common strawberry and blueberry beds. Gardening help is available. Registration to obtain a plot is required.

Gardening tools, a storage shed, 400-gallon water tower and a comfortable park bench round out Faith Lutheran’s community garden. Coordinator Steve Conrad, said, “This site, as well as the other four in the area, is open to the community.” ... “We’re poor,” Steve said laughingly. “We don’t have money! We function with volunteers, donations and grants to keep growing [pun intended] and improving. It’s not unusual to see Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts or 4-H kids bustling about the garden. The contribution these great kids provide is immeasurable.”

Local community gardens include Arch Park Community Garden [Arch Avenue in Mount Vernon], Community Roots Community Garden [1104 W. Gambier, Mount Vernon], Faith Lutheran Community Garden [170 Mansfield Ave., Mount Vernon], Gambier Community Garden [115 Meadow Lane, Gambier] and Lawn & Vine Community Garden [1009 E. Vine St., Mount Vernon].

If interested in obtaining a plot in any of the gardens, contact #localfood #communitygarden #knoxcountyohio. Seasoned or new-to-gardening folks are welcome.