Encinitas Community garden plots available

Looking to rent a wooden planter box at the Encinitas Community Garden? Now is the time.

This week, garden organizers announced plot prices and that they’re taking rental applications at encinitascommunitygarden.org.

Last month, the community garden, at 441 Quail Gardens Drive, broke ground after years of permit delays.

Planter boxes measuring 10 by 10 feet will cost $120 a year, and boxes that are 5 feet by 10 feet will run $60 annually. The start-up fee for both sizes is $50.

A ribbon-cutting for the community garden is slated for Oct. 3 at a time that’s yet to be set, according to Gordon Smith, president of the nonprofit Encinitas Community Garden. The community garden will initially have about 60 planter boxes, with more planned.

The garden aims to teach residents how to grow organic produce, particularly those who live in apartments or don’t have gardening space. Tools will be provided, and instructors will be on hand.

Over the last month, volunteers have built planter boxes, set up irrigation lines and more — but work remains. Volunteers are encouraged to lend a hand at the garden site from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 15.

The community garden is roughly one acre, and the nonprofit is leasing the space from the Encinitas Union School District, which recently started Farm Lab on the surrounding land to bolster nutrition, science and agriculture education.

In July, garden organizers obtained all the necessary permits, ending a six-year quest to start the garden. At that time, organizers stated that with the city working on an urban agriculture ordinance to relax permit rules, they’re hopeful that future community gardens in Encinitas will have an easier path forward.