Community Gardening—Sharing Your Green Thumb Passion

Launch Gallery

The time is 6:30 . AM . I ’m en route to my local community garden for the monthly workday . Armed with my java , piddle jugful , workplace kick , hemipteron spray , sunscreen , washrag , glove ( visible radiation & heavy obligation ) , headband , and my favourite weed tool , the anticipation raise . We startrealearly in the summertime months ( 7:00am ) . Wehaveto . It ’s going to be 102 today , with a heat indicant of 110 .

We all start rolling in and assemble in the cardinal shaded marquee . The “ steady ” gardener , about 12 - 20 of us , are joined by married person , kinsfolk members , Junior League of Plano members , and a few prospective secret plan owners . We are also get together by two to three XII young adults , mostly still in high school , who have signalise up through the urban center to volunteer as part of their school day , college entry , or other credit requirement .

Another activity that is an built-in part of the community garden is our staunch donation of produce to the local food larder . As the manager of two plot , I am committed to donate at least 50 % of what gets reap . As I look to our “ deliberation station ” , several hoi polloi are throw together to pick and bag up a hugh amount of Swiss chard ( mostly from myself ) , lolly , squash , tomatoes , melons , and basil ; in time to drive it over to the pantry before they fold for the weekend .

Do n’t get me wrong … it ’s not all about the back - breaking work and that feel - good feeling of doing a great deed for the community . One of the gardener I look up to most is asking me about her peppers as I fight the sweat from stinging my eyes . She shares a enceinte top with me on tomatoes . One I ’ve never heard of in almost a decade of get them .

When I ’m amongst my fellow community gardeners , I ’m in “ leech mode ” . That is , I always have an loose auricle ready for that next worthful baksheesh or impression on why a certain vegetable did or did n’t do well . You ca n’t help but acquire a lot from being around folks who share your passionateness and are into it as much ( or more ) than you are . I must admit , though , that it ’s humbling being one of the few “ dudes ” around .

I seem at my ticker to see that the working day is officially done , at 10:00am . I ’m panting from moving several wheelbarrow - full gobs of woods mulch to their young home , powerful by the herb bed . As I walk with my pitchfork to the tool shed , I exchange Book with a brace of nurseryman on the subject of what the balance of the weekend had in shop for them .

speak of fellow gardeners , I ’d like to conclude this piece with some words from these same good folks . relish as they portion out thoughts on what community horticulture means to them .

“ community of interests gardening is a fascinating concept . We all need to eat so as to survive , but organic community gardening provides bread , Daucus carota sativa , tomato plant and sweet potatoes that brim with vitamins and all other essential nutrient that avail us fly high . This year , I am delighted to chair the Junior League of Plano ’s Plano Community Garden Committee and get wind more from the Master Gardeners while working in the dirt , getting my hands dirty and knowing that part of the produce goes to those that apprise it . ”

Tajana

“ By link and knead in the Plano Community Garden I get good usage , really good vegetables , and help me give back to the food bank . I have also meet some really nice citizenry there . I also keep learning new things . ”

Kathryn

“ I subsist in an flat and therefore ca n’t garden at home . Maintaining a plot at the residential area garden has allowed me to go on my hobby . ”

Tim

“ The first demand for joining a community garden should be your desire and ability to do all the required work necessary to exert a plot , plant veg , feed , water and harvest them on a well-timed basis . Second , the desire to be involved with your local community on a voluntary basis . Third , the ability to socialise and share thought with fellow gardeners . ”

Mimi

“ give me a reason to get out and get ill-gotten . ”

Emelio

“ Being a part of the biotic community garden is a great chance to work side - by - side with masses of all ages . The big tasks like mulching and weed get done in a single day and the time passes apace as we jaw and work together . ”

Erin

“ I wanted to start a vegetable garden and happened to discover the group . What an chance to learn from others while help oneself your local community at the same time . It ’s a no - brainer ! ”

Photo/Illustration: Mimi Serrao

John

“ It gravel me out of the family to be with alike - minded green thumbs . Even my kids enjoy help . ”

Chris

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