community gardening........

our lovely tomatoes

romaine ready for the salad bowl

teeny tiny peppers coming along :)

I had to watch Brody for a bit this morning and since they don't live far from the Community
Garden site I thought we could walk over and see how all of our plants were growing. Brody loves going for a walk so off we went. The garden plots are all coming along great and harvesting of some vegetables is ready to go. I picked some more swiss chard, basil, arugula and onions and will use these for our dinner tonight. I love the whole thing about 'from garden to table' and can now appreciate so much more what my parents had a garden for. This little garden plot has done so much for me in terms of my own growth. So......as the garden grows, I grow also. It is creating connection for me. Connection to the earth, the plants, to community with others, my daughter who I share my plot with and also a further connection to my grandson who often comes with me when I go there. I believed for a long time that the community gardens would be such a huge benefit in so many ways for so many people and that was where my passion was focused. I was focused on how others would benefit. I love giving people an opportunity to learn and this was a perfect project for just that. I believe it is certainly providing all of those things to all the gardeners and yet its impact for me is the bonus in all of this. I have learned so much already in the short time that we have been gardening together. I look forward to all that is yet to come.

As I said before........as my garden grows, I grow also.......and this is a good thing.

gardening my heart......

Ah.....this morning early I headed to my garden plot at the Community Garden site. It was early enough that I was able to enjoy the quiet time of just me and the garden although there was a beautiful cardinal that did keep me company for a while. The garden is new experience for me and it is a part of my country dream that I spoke of in my last post. I did grow up with a garden in our backyard but never took an interest in it. Now I have a big interest that began with the organizing of the Community Garden site. I wanted people to be able to experience the value of growing and eating good food. Initially it was more about them than me. The first year I didn't even have a plot. This year I have a plot with my daughter and we work on it together as a community of two and with the rest of the gardeners as a larger community. It works for everyone.

Our wonderful garden plot

growing like a garden should

If I had my home in the country I would have a garden just like this one. One where I can plant and water and weed and harvest. One that will feed my soul as well as my physical body. One that will inspire me to connect with the earth. This morning I was weeding along and could feel a blister beginning on my hand.......it didn't matter. I could feel the perspiration dripping off my nose........it didn't matter. I could feel the crink in my lower back........it didn't matter. I just need to be there with my hands in the dirt and a hoe in my hand. I need to pluck the weeds from the loosened soil and take them to the compost pile. I need to be among all those living plants and share in their beauty. It allows me to tend to the garden of my heart and for me that is a good thing. It's part of looking after myself after years of putting others first and pushing myself too far in other areas. The garden is a gift in so many ways for myself and it is a destination along the path of my life that is teaching me new lessons to live by. I love my little garden plot. It warms my heart and makes me smile..............

Community Gardening for the Soul.....

There is a small group of women who are moving forward valiantly to again this year provide the city folk with an opportunity to be involved in a Community Garden. We had our efforts somewhat driven off course last year, but this has not dampened our enthusiasm. We will keep doing what we need to do so that our town can be like most of the rest around and enjoy a Community Garden.

The garden will offer so much in so many ways. People will firsthand be able to grow their own food and learn along the way so much from other folks and their own experiences. Sharing of information will be something great to watch happen amongst the gardeners. It will be a social outlet for some and for others it might be an almost meditative experience to be able to spend time in the garden plot while the troubles of daily life can be set aside for a time. Children will be able to experience firsthand the understanding of where our food essentially comes from and what we need to do to make it grow and produce. There will also be the experience of finding out about new foods and then incorporating them into their diet. Learning about nutrition is important for all of us and the fact that we are growing food in good soil and then eating these fresh vegetables is perfect! There is also a monetary savings when you grow your own food. All in all the benefits that a community garden will bring are huge. It doesn't get much better than that!

It has been a long and at times difficult journey for us in the garden group, but this summer will see two gardens come to fruition. I look forward to the growing season and all that it will bring. I will post more as the growing season unfolds.......