While still the executive director of Imagine Grinnell, Rich Dana wrote a grant to the Iowa State University Extension Service for funding for four “vegetable trugs.” A “VegTrug” is a V-shaped wooden container used to grow plants. A VegTrug is a space-saving extra slice of garden with perfect soil that also looks great. Flowers as well as vegetables can be planted in the boxes.
Working with Grinnell’s Giving Gardens, the plan was to provide the planter boxes to not-for-profit organizations in Grinnell. That grant was funded and four VegTrugs were received, “some assembly required.” After Rich’s departure from Imagine Grinnell, Chad Nath, a volunteer with Giving Gardens since its founding in 2013, personally assembled all four VegTrugs. Chad is the Executive Director of Link Grinnell, a new organization devoted to providing childcare and youth development in the Grinnell area.
Grinnell’s Giving Gardens has now grown from one to 11 gardens. The excess produce is given to MICA for distribution to clients in need.
The raised planters are wheelchair and walker friendly. For easy access, they are usually erected on a solid surface of some sort, like concrete or crushed rock. The four units assembled by Chad are made of cedar wood and are 72” X 30” and 31” off the ground.
Two of the units have been installed at Ahrens Park and the Grinnell Community Learning Center. The other two will be installed by Mayflower in the Health Center Courtyard and on the Buckley Courtyard patio.
If you are interested in building one, check out My Outdoor Plans website, https://myoutdoorplans.com/planter/vegetable-trug-planter-plans/.
— Bob Mann, Sales & Marketing Director
