City cultivators: Community garden a place for the village to raise the vegetable

The Provident Community Garden, 6000 W. Oakey Blvd., is the largest community garden in the state, and in September, phase two of construction will begin, according to Paul Moffat, president of the garden's board of directors.

The nonprofit currently utilizes 1¼ acres of its 2½-acre property, with 90 grow boxes at 10 feet by 4 feet.

Phase two will include the construction of 80 additional grow boxes.

Participating gardeners are growing watermelons, carrots, squash, radishes, asparagus and artichokes, among others. Some gardeners have already begun harvesting produce. Mayor Carolyn Goodman and her husband Oscar Goodman even have a grow box.

Registering for a grow box is simple. It requires attending two classes taught by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners on site. Classes are free and open to the public.

There is also a one-time fee for a grow box of $75, a monthly fee of $5 and a $7.50 monthly water bill.

What the gardeners do with their produce is up to their discretion, be it for personal consumption or sale at a farmers market.

Moffat said he encourages anyone interested to visit the garden, open sunrise to sunset, green thumb or not.

"We want people to come learn something about Mother Nature," he said. "In 78 days, they can be eating fresh corn."

Contact Southwest/Spring Valley View reporter Nolan Lister at nlister@viewnews.com or 383-0492.