Annual Kane County Government Volunteer Garden Blooms with New Surprises

In its third year, the Kane County Government Volunteer Garden is blooming again with produce and generosity, having already harvested 108 pounds of fresh produce this season for the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry (www.bataviafoodpantry.org). This year, the garden is not only feeding the community but also adding a splash of diversity to its bounty.

Located on the Kane County Government campus in Geneva, the 24-by-24-foot plot has grown a staggering total of 1,700 pounds of produce since it first broke ground, with every harvest donated to the Batavia pantry. This season's crop features staples like tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and basil, alongside newcomers such as onions and cucumbers.    

Dedicated Kane County staff volunteer their time to cultivate this garden, planning, planting, weeding, and watering. They meet weekly, rain or shine, to gather the fruits of their labor and deliver them to the food pantry. Dry weather in June prompted the installation of an automated timer for irrigation, ensuring that the plants received the hydration they needed. However, July brought heavy storms, requiring volunteers to stay adaptable. This spring, the soil was also enriched with nutrient-rich worm castings from the Department of Environmental and Water Resources’ vermicomposting bin, giving the plants a boost of organic goodness.  If you'd like to learn more about composting with worms and how to get started at home or work, please contact recycle@kanecountyil.gov.​

There was one surprise this year with the emergence of a charming pumpkin — grown from the seeds left behind from last season.

Harvesting is set to continue through September or October, with hopes high that this year’s donations will reach or even surpass the impressive milestone of 2,000 pounds.

The success of the Government Center Garden is made possible through the generosity of the Geneva Home Depot, which again donated materials and garden supplies this spring, along with the Kane County Forest Preserve, which provided much-needed mulch to nourish the plants.