TIFTON — The Keep Tift Beautiful community garden, located on North Central Avenue, sponsored a work day Mar. 10.

Volunteers gathered to install a fence, put up new signage and paint the water tower and picnic tables.

Gardeners also added fresh pine straw to the walkways, cleaned up the creek banks and cleared out limbs and trash.

One of the signs put up warned against dumping in the garden, which has been a problem in the past. The others designated where to put different composting materials.

Gardeners also worked on readying beds for the upcoming watermelon contest.

For best results, the seeds should be planted during the second week in April so they’ll be ready for the contest in July 4.

The resulting melons will be graded based on weight and looks.

There are four beds available. Contact Keep Tift Beautiful to sign up for a bed by emailing bbarbee@abac.edu or kharris@friendlycity.net.