Tiffany Jordan grew up in East Columbus. So when she decided to start her boutique, Station 82, a year ago, she set up shop on Alabama Street.

Less than a month ago, Jordan purchased a new location for the boutique across the street. But unlike her old location that only came with a gravel parking lot, this new building came with a green space attached to it, and an idea for that green space: a new community garden.

“I think East Columbus gets a bad (reputation) that there’s not really a lot over here or stuff that people can brag about, but I think this will do that,” Jordan said.

Jordan said the idea came from Stephanie Maher, who owns 7 Mahers Homestead. Maher’s farm, located just across the Alabama state line, sells naturally-based soaps, deodorants and other products at a booth inside Station 82.

Maher said the pair started planning the community garden earlier this week, as a way to help more people in Columbus have access to fresh produce and to learn more about gardening in general.

“I felt like there was a need that the community has access to free healthy food,” Maher said. “… I know it can be really intimidating trying to start a garden when you don’t know what you’re doing. The first year I ever did a garden, I spent $300 on supplies and I got six blueberries. Not lying. That’s it. And I was like, ‘I can’t ever do this again.’ And I’ve successfully gardened the last five years and it gets bigger and bigger every year.”

Almost immediately, Maher said, the pair posted about the project on Facebook to try to collect donations and get the garden planted as soon as possible.

Already, Maher said, the project has started to receive support from several sources, including Four Seasons Farm and Garden, Jamison Pastures, Bud Bell with The Farm at Bell Branch and Authentic Church.

“It’s already three to four weeks late for planting a garden, so it’s like ‘we need to get it in the ground,’” Maher said. “It’s important that we get it done quickly and get it in the ground quickly so that people can start benefiting from it because the growing season is only so long.”

Maher said the pair are planning for the garden to include a seating area, wood-slat wall, veggie washing station and tool storage area and a commemorative wall for community members that contribute a $50 or more donation to the garden.

Maher plans to contribute some plants from her own home garden, like tomatoes, peppers, melons, squash and more to help the garden get started. She said Four Seasons Farm offered to “fill in” with other plants, and other friends are chipping in as well. Individuals online, she said, have also offered to help.

Maher said the size of the garden will be determined by the donations received, since that will determine how much fencing they can purchase to go around the area. Anything donated beyond the cost of fencing, she said, would be put toward setting up a produce stand and a small free library area for gardening related books.

Maher said the donations needed include gardening tools, a trellis, fencing, landscaping cloth, spare plants or seeds, berry bushes, books on gardening, lumber, a patio set or picnic table, pavers, mulch, outdoor lighting, and volunteer hands to help with putting the garden together.

But whether they receive donations or not, Maher said, the pair will still be trying to set up some form of the garden as a “bright spot” in the community.

Station 82’s new location will be opening on June 1, Jordan said, with the community garden only “slightly after” that.

Maher said anyone with contributions can drop them off under the awning next to Station 82’s new location on Alabama Street Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, reach out to Jordan at (662) 435-0108.

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