I must say that I am so darned proud of our "community gardeners"! We had an in-ground garden at the local housing authority, as well as container gardens for patios. The containers were mostly tomatoes and peppers, and a few of the more mobile residents had plots in the soil garden. There were no "turf wars", no quibbling about who added more stuff to the community compost pile, and a whole lot of sharing of produce, advice, and sympathy. My friend and I who were acting as mentors were hardly needed. We delivered containers, seeds, and potting soil donated by local businesses, and then just stood back. We found there were natural leaders in the group who kept everything on an even keel. The end-of-garden potluck luncheon is next week, with everyone contributing something from their garden, even if it's just one hot pepper (for some reason hot peppers were the plant of choice for many of the container gardeners). I have the feeling my friend and I are out of a job :-D !
Awesome, Jane. That is what it is all about...creating an independent gardener to feed themselves and others in time.
Good feeling, huh? Lots of satisfaction in doing something to help other folks, especially ones who need help due to circumstances beyond their control.. Kudos to you and your friend.. Hank
I see they are making more gardens in Cedar Rapids.Lot of homes taken down from floods in 08- 20 feet over flood stage. So put the plots in the high spots.And make hoop garden area.Teaching compost,etc. Lot of the people who stayed no place to go -and can use the fresh veggys.
There are times that being out of a job can be a good thing. You and your friend should feel proud of yourselves for getting everyone together in this way. Well done. :-D
What a nice thing to have done and quite a nice way to be out of a job. Will you start another project for another group?
What a good posting this is, MG. It is exactly the sort of ending to a growing season that one wants to see...whether it is a municipal or private garden. It sounds like it was a success on all fronts. It must be a great feeling for you to have been part of that.
Thank y'all for your kind comments--but actually it was the gardeners themselves who made this a successful second year. No, I won't be starting another garden with another group. It's the "quit while you're ahead" syndrome (or as Kenny Rogers says, "know when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em).
