Community Gardens

I'd like to talk a bit about how awesome community gardens are. Many cities and campuses have programs, and require little to no money to reserve a patch of fresh dirt for the growing season. Since I'm living in an apartment with two curious cats and no balcony, it's pretty tough to grow any of my own herbs or veggies at home. I'll miss the big garden I've been working on with my dad for the last few years, but a 10x10 patch of garden like I've planted can actually produce a lot of food in one season. Utilizing techniques like square foot gardening and staggered planting (I'm doing three rows of salad, three weeks apart and replanting as each row goes to seed) can increase yields and crop variety.

I'm gardening with Campus Grow, one of the surprising number of gardens in the Mount Pleasant community. CG is an organic program located at Central Michigan University, and is student-run. It's a pretty young program, but has been growing rapidly. The garden had just a few active plots last year, but this year there are around 50 that have been requested. People from many walks of life come to the garden to participate in the therapeutic, methodical, and sometimes tough work of making their garden grow. (Believe me, I have the blisters on my hands to prove it!)

At this point in the year I've got a few seeds in the ground, but I'm waiting until the last frost date to move my precious tomato seedlings. I have plans for kaleidoscope carrots, yellow and green beans, basil, nasturtiums, mesclun salad, tomatoes, peppers, and whatever else I have room for. If you've got the garden bug but no place to grow, look around in your community for an opportunity, or start one yourself! This website is a great resource: http://www.communitygarden.org/learn/starting-a-community-garden.php 

Community gardens are a great way to learn new gardening techniques, mentor those who are just starting, and to make friends. Happy Gardening!

This little garden will grow big things!

Don't forget to bring your compost from home! This neat bucket is made of recycled materials
and bamboo fiber. It also features a filter in the lid. (that way my apartment doesn't smell like compost)

I've got visions of pesto dancing in my head

Check out this awesome setup for sifting compost. Look at that garden gold!

Watch out for nettles! I learned that lesson the hard way  (ouch!)

What are you growing in your garden this year? Do you have a favorite veggie you couldn't go without? If you have any experience with community gardens, feel free to share!