The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is preparing for the sixth season of its Illinois State Fairgrounds Community Garden.

A meeting has been scheduled March 25 at 5:30 p.m. for new and returning gardeners. The meeting will be held in the IDOA Auditorium, located at the corner of Sangamon Ave. and 8th St. on the Illinois State Fairgrounds inside Gate 11. Weather permitting, the garden will open April 1.

Rupp Seeds and Syngenta are garden sponsors and will provide a variety of seeds, free of charge, to interested gardeners this year. Additionally, gardeners will have access to water, tools and compost. Garden mentoring is available to those who need it through the University of Illinois Master Gardener Program.

The garden, which is located on the infield of the Illinois State Fair Grandstand race track, was created six years ago to give individuals who do not have space for a garden a friendly and safe environment in which to grow fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, herbs and other plants. Both organic and non-organic garden plots are available.

For more information, please visit www.agr.state.il.us/garden or call (217) 785-5594 or (217) 524-3297.