The Allison-Arboles-Tiffany area is excited to see work proceeding on its new grow dome, the Allison Area Community Grow Dome.
Its mission is “To promote food security and facilitate community members in growing their own fresh produce by providing gardening education and a venue for starting plants for transplant, growing produce and extending the growing season with an indoor growing space.”
This project is truly a community effort.
Bob Walkinshaw donated the dome in memory of his late wife, Jane Amundson. Pine River Shares assisted with initial planning and donated some growing mix. A business in Durango donated materials to build growing raised beds to put inside it. Molly Turner’s wood shop classes at Ignacio High School are building the panels for the beds as a class project. Mt. Allison Grange members are among those actively involved with the grow dome.
Once the panels are completed, there will be several work days scheduled, with volunteers needed to assemble them, help fill them and help with planting.
The beds will be filled with organic material (wood chips, maybe shredded paper), topsoil and the mix.
The dome needs topsoil for the beds and, once the beds are in place and filled, the grow dome will need some type of irrigation system.
It will also need an aerator, water plants and fish for the interior pond, which helps to maintain the humidity and temperature within the dome, as well as being the direct source from which water for the plants is drawn.
On Saturday, May 9, from 2 to 5 p.m. there will be be a plant sale to help with these anticipated costs at the TARA Community Center, located at 333 Milton Lane in Arboles.
Proceeds from the sale will be used toward the needs of the dome as described above. Donations also will be gratefully accepted.
The Allison Area Grow Dome is a community nonprofit, operating under the sponsorship of P.I.C.K. (People Improving Communities and Kids), the Colorado State Grange’s 501(c)(3); thus contributions to it are tax deductible.
Also from 2 to 5 p.m. on May 9, the TARA Community Center is hosting a Mother’s Day afternoon tea, with tea and delicate bites and games for the kids. They suggest, “Make it fun, wear a fun hat and turn it into a mad hatters tea party.”
For more information, contact Peggy Duggan at (505) 690-5396 or Angelica Marquez Lucero at (970) 317-5233.
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