THE OUTWARD FOCUSED GARDENER

           
Neighborhood Gardens
Empowers Communities
Feeds Hearts, Minds, Stomachs   

The above Haiku encapsulates the essence of a revitalized movement better known as, community gardening.  As the price of living steadily rises, citizens from all walks of life are looking for ways to stretch their dollar.  Additionally, most of us have become aware of the need to live healthier and more simple lifestyles.  In an age where individualism seems to dominate, many are reaching out for ways to reconnect with their fellowman, as well as mother earth.

Community gardening meets needs for all of the above, creating opportunities for communities to join together for the common welfare of all.  Growing food not only brings people together, but also reconnects us with soil, the origins of our food.  Few activities bridge the gap between young and old like community gardening, because it is an activity that almost anyone can enjoy, no matter what age, race, gender or level of ability.

We have seen that community gardens are a great way to serve those in need, by providing nutritious produce for food pantries that may otherwise have access to exclusively boxed, bagged, canned and processed foods.  Such gardens can be built on vacant lots within inner city communities or in suburban neighborhoods.  Outward focused garden endeavors provide an opportunity to work with those in need, and help to provide a sense of purpose to everyone involved.

Many life lessons can be gained from community gardening efforts such as: cooperation, the joy of servitude, patience and the understanding that persistence pays.  Gardening is one of the least expensive and most affective forms of mind, body and spirit therapy.  We can empower ourselves and our community when we work together to cultivate hope, health and holistic living through edible gardening. 

Modern agriculture has become a large-scale corporate business, with less than 1 percent of our food  produced organically around the world.  In the past, most families raised their own food organically, and knew how to plant, care for, harvest and preserve their food supply.  Now, many children and adults are so far removed from farmland, that they either do not know or forgot where our food comes from.  Community gardening is a great way to reconnect us to our food production system, helping us to appreciate the value of  healthful produce.

Most of our food travel from 1500 to 2500 miles from farm to table.   Long distance food transport creates numerous opportunities along the way for food contamination, and requires the use of artificial additives and preservatives to keep the food from spoiling. Food transportation also contributes to global warming due to the large amount of fuel required in shipping.  Community gardens can help to reduce travel time to and from grocery stores as well, saving gas and reducing our carbon foot print.  Communities that seek to meet their food needs locally will have access to a more diverse variety of regional crops, cheaper food that avoids added costs from intermediate handlers and shippers, and is a boon for the local economy as money spent on seeds, compost, garden supplies and transplants goes to local growers and merchants. 

Another fun and important lesson to be learned in outward focused community gardens is ‘organic methods‘, eliminating the need for harmful pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.  Because both young and old may be involved in the gardening process, natural gardening practices reduce risk of exposure to toxic chemicals.  Organic gardening techniques promote safe and sustainable methods that anyone can replicate, and will provide as much crop abundance as conventional gardening.  Increased nutrient density of organically grown foods is another benefit, providing many minerals and vitamins that help to alleviate sickness and promote healthier individuals.  Connecting with nature is at the heart of organic gardening, and teaches the importance of working with frogs, birds, butterflies, beneficial bugs and other wildlife to promote a more holistic gardening perspective where everyone is linked.  Of course, one of the most enjoyable aspects of organic gardening is tasting the fruits of your labor, and organic food is widely considered more flavorful than chemically grown food.  

There are many simple considerations once you have decided to take the plunge into community gardening.  The location you select must have at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.   Access to water is imperative, whether you are using a faucet from a neighbors home, catching rain water in rain barrels from a nearby roof or tool shed, or working with the local fire department to fill large water containers weekly.  Compost and mulch are other essential ingredients in successful community gardens, which enable the creation of raised beds, typically built no larger than 4 feet wide and 15 feet long.  Having a solid commitment from volunteers can be challenging, so creating incentives like a share of the harvest may help to attract more consistent helpers.  Many business may be willing to donate or provide low cost tools, seeds and other gardening supplies if they know you are building a garden to serve the community.  Offer to put companies names on a sign in front of the garden if they can donate materials. 

Beautification is an important element in community gardens.  By planting many varieties of perpetually blooming annuals and perennials throughout the community garden, you will enhance the seasonal interest of the garden areas, transforming an often dull looking vegetable garden into a colorful and fragrant point of pride for the community.  Flowers can be cut and arranged in bouquets to be shared at local hospitals, nursing homes and for those that are in need a burst of seasonal brilliance.  Many blooming herbs, annuals and perennials are also edible, and can be selected for their palatability.  Flowering perennials and annuals are often the best form of pest control, luring pests away from valuable crops, or outright repelling them from your gardens.

Girl scout and boy scouts troops, local businesses and non profit organizations are always looking for community service projects. You may be able to solicit their help with the building and maintenance of a community garden.  Also, such groups may be able to help build bird houses, benches, tool sheds, arbors, trellis and other useful features that will enhance the appearance and function of the community garden.  Such groups may only be able to work for a short time, so having a plan in place before they come is important, as well as devoted community garden members that can help delegate and lead the groups to optimize their time in the garden.

Successful community gardens take a certain level of leadership and commitment.  It is crucial to have an individual or individuals who are willing to take charge in the organization of the community garden from seed to harvest.  Such leaders will need to plan days for bed prep, plantings, mulching, bed maintenance and harvest.  Having a list of every participants email and phone number will make it easier to rally the troops when help is required.

Community gardens plant seeds of peace wherever they sprout.  What better way to say, “I love you just because you are” than by sharing delicious homegrown produce with someone in need?  Such gardens provide opportunities to teach the importance of sustainable and organic gardening for the health of our land, ourselves and future generations. The Outward Focused Garden is a fun and exciting way to join together with your friends, neighbors, coworkers, family and others to create and nurture something bigger than ourselves, and reap the joy and abundance that come with that collaboration.   

For all inquiries and information on ways to get involved in community gardening, please contact us at, 513-932-3319, email us at wes@marvinsorganicgardens.com, or visit us online at www.marvinsorganicgardens.com or fan us on Facebook.  Here’s to a year of outward focused gardening!