Derek Christianson of Brix Bounty Farm in Dartmouth led a session on Choosing the Right Plans for Your Garden in the Oak Village Apartment community room on April 6, 2010. The program was part of the Healthy City Fall River effort to promote the establishment of community gardens in Fall River. Mr. Christianson offered information on how to plan and lay out a garden to maximize plant growth. He also responded to questions from participants who posed questions pertaining to their own gardens and planting experiences before the 90-minute session closed. Participants also had the opportunity to select and plant some seeds in peat pots that they could take home. Fall River Housing Authority Youth and Family Services Director Joey DaSilva was also on hand to outline plans for a new community garden that will be constructed at the Oak Village Apartments this spring so residents can begin to grown their own garden. For further information, contact Joseph DaSilva at 508-675-3527 or Community Garden Coordinator Nicole Fortier at 508-679-6841.
 

(Top row, left and center) Joan Cassin, Georgette Fortin and Terry Cabral pose questions about their own gardens to presenter Derek Christianson of Brix Bounty Farm in Dartmouth. (Top row, right) Fall River Housing Authority  Family and Youth Services Director Joey DaSilva describes the garden that was constructed in 2009 at the Doolan Apartments as Community Garden coordinator Nicole looks on. (Middle row, left) Derek illustrates one way a small garden could be laid out to maximize plant growth. (Middle row, right and bottom row, left and center) Derek shows Georgette Fortin, Pauline Marshall, Pat Sbardella, Terry Cabral, Joan Casin and Diane Hinote how to start seeds in a peat pot so plants can be transplanted at a later time. (Bottom row, right) Joey DaSilva points to where the new community garden will be constructed behind the Oak Village community building.