While it looks minuscule compared to the acres of bean fields that surround the Lorain County Jail, there will be plenty of good use coming out of a new garden planted on the jail grounds.

It took five inmates about 120 hours to complete it, but in June, the 45-by-100 foot garden was tilled and planted with vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, beans, peas and zucchini that will be used in the inmates’ meals. And while most gardeners plant their crops well before then, the yield has been good.

“Everything went in late, but everything’s been perfect,” corrections officer Mike Dangelo said.

Just this week, some of the cucumbers were used in salads and five buckets of peppers were picked, according to Dangelo — who has been gardening since he was 9 years old. Many of the extra vegetables will be frozen to be used throughout the winter or donated to local food banks.

Read Saturday’s Chronicle for more on this story. In the meantime, check out some pictures of the garden.

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