On August 25 and 31, a total of 40 Builders Beyond Borders students joined Westport Green Village Initiatives to construct a community garden to benefit the Bridgeport Community Land Trust.

On the first day, 20 students constructed 25 4’ x 8’ garden beds. At their disposal were 75 2”x8’ pressure treated boards, which the students used to form each of the individual beds. But even after all the construction was complete, the work wasn’t done yet! Students then unloaded four truckloads of topsoil, hefting wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow to fill all 25 garden beds.

On the second day of construction, 20 fresh recruits returned to the site to unload the last truckload of dirt, topping off all 25 garden beds. Students then tested their green thumbs by planting fall vegetables and flowers. Before leaving the students conducted a final cleanup, hauling away 1,000 lbs of debris!

The project will benefit local community members who are allowed to claim one of the garden beds as their own. They are responsible for the upkeep of their garden, weeding, pruning and watering as needed, and of course, harvesting the fruits (or vegetables) of their labor.