Brookfield community garden might inspire other towns to start one

BROOKFIELD -- Ever wonder what Brussels sprouts looks like when they emerge on the plant?

"They're small nodules, and the plants are about 4 feet high. I didn't know that. I learned something new," Dave Keefe said.

The Brookfield Lions Club member saw them growing the other day in the community vegetable garden at Gurski Farm. The club established it two years ago and made him chairman.

And Keefe, who had never grown anything before -- "I didn't know the first thing about it" -- said thanks to sharing a plot with his daughter-in-law and learning from others at the site, he's grown peas, three different kinds of lettuce, corn and scallions.

The gardens, of course, are a great resource for people who live in apartments or condos, but Keefe, who has property at his home he could use, prefers the camaraderie of fellow growers.

"It's a great way to socialize and you learn so much."

He hopes this story will inspire other organizations to start community gardens in their town.

The town-owned Gurski farm plots on Route 133 are available to Brookfield residents for a $20 fee. The property, once a dairy, has open space and fields that lead up to a ridge. It's a nice way to spend time outdoors, Keefe said.

The Brookfield Lions has 52 garden plots available for the 2010 season. They are 8 by 15 feet.

"We allow fertilizer if anyone wants, and there's an area reserved for organic gardens. The land is sloping slightly north to south, so the organic gardens will go at the top of the slope to avoid the runoff of fertilizers from other gardens," Keefe said.

"We have a section for sunflowers that is separate."

The idea of a garden for town residents came from a History Channel program, he explained.

"I saw how community gardens in New York City are successful, then I went to Heritage Village (in Southbury), which has a successful one, and to Milford, where the Parks and Recreation Department offers gardens. So I made the proposal to the Lions Club.

"We have people of all ages and a lot of young kids helping their parents, and two of the plots were donated for use by Ability Beyond Disability. It's a great way for socialization."

Requests to renew garden plots must be received by Dec. 6, and new applications must be submitted by Jan. 4.

The Lions Club provides water for the garden. It is pumped out of Merwin Brook and kept in a storage tank. Gardeners carry it in buckets or watering cans to their plots.

Last year the Lions Club used the plot fees to purchase deer fencing. This year the club will buy a rototiller, Keefe said.

The Lions Club Community Garden, established in 2008, was featured in a September issue of Lions International magazine. Because of the publicity, Keefe said, "We've gone international."

The plots will be given to Brookfield residents on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the Web site www.brookfieldctlions.org or call Dave Keefe at 203-775-3876.