First come, first served applications are being accepted for Red Bank’s Community Garden. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

Break out those seed catalogs, gardeners.

With rain instead of snow falling from the sky and temps due to hit 50F before the end of the week, PieHole is looking forward to planting season. And if you are, too, but your yard isn’t well-suited to growing produce, Red Bank’s Community Garden has plots available

Applications are currently being accepted for 16 plots at the garden, located on Marion Street by East Side Park.

The garden’s growing season – its second – begins on March 1, and the application, along with a $25 fee, should be sent in as soon as possible. Applications can be picked up at borough hall or downloaded from the borough website. 

So far, five of last year’s gardeners have applied to come back, according to Councilwoman Cindy Burnham, who spearheaded the garden’s creation.  She says several of last year’s gardeners told her they aren’t returning because the garden is too far away from their homes.

“Red Bank needs a garden where people can use it,” says Burham, who has been a a strong advocate for putting a garden next to the Red Bank Public Library.