Town Of Reading Now Accepting Applications For Mattera Garden Plots

READING, MA —The Town of Reading is reminding residents that 2023 applications are open for the garden plots at the Community Garden at Mattera.

Applications are available online for the plots at Mattera Conservation Area, located 1481 Main St. Interested residents can apply through March 31, and will be notified about receiving a plot on April 5. The deadline to make payments for the plots is April 12.

Returning gardeners have until March 15 to sign the Community Gardener Licensing Agreement and make their 2023 payments, according to organizers.

A total of 46 plots are available after the town was able to add 30 plots since last year. All of the plots are framed and filled with planting soil.

This year, there are 43 ground-level, 4-foot by 8-foot plots with 17.5-inch high frames. There are three plots with slightly higher frames (29 inches) to provide easier access.

The fee to rent a plot this year is $50, which goes toward the cost of maintaining the garden. Gardeners also are required to sign a Community Gardener Licensing Agreement, where they agree to follow several rules, including using organic gardening practices and not growing invasive plants.

The town will host a Mattera Garden Information Session at 10 a.m. on March 11 at Mattera Cabin, An online information session is scheduled for 7 p.m. on March 15.

"(The sessions will be to) discuss the general gardening practices, schedule and expectations, the application process, and to answer any questions that residents may have," Andrew MacNichol, senior planner for the Town of Reading, told Patch.

Reading's Garden Community opened in 2022 across from the Mattera Cabin.

Phase 2 of the project, which included the additional plots and other improvements to the Community Garden area, was made possible by a $42,500 "Accelerating Climate Resilience" Grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and the Barr Foundation, in addition to a $6,000 grant from the Reading Rotary Club.

Among the improvements that are part of Phase 2 are: an ADA-accessible pathway from the handicapped parking stalls to the garden plots, the development of a garden area that will be used for the Reading Food Panty and its members, a roofed pavilion to provide a shaded social gathering area, installation of a rain barrel collection system, public art and an area for a future beekeeping/pollinator space.

Reading residents who rent garden plots also have the opportunity to donate part or all of their crops to the Reading Food Pantry.

More information about the Community Garden at Mattera is available on the Town of Reading website.