The Edgewood Community Gets A Garden Makeover
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Hey neighbors,
Here's what's been happening so far at the Edgewood Community Learning Garden on Hardee and Mayson:
Green Build, an AmeriCorps team that trains young people in green house building, has been building a picket fence for the garden. They usually build houses, so this fence project has been a new experience for them, and we're all have a great time getting it done. The finishing touches go down tomorrow morning from 9-11 am--stop by if you're in the area!
The fence is made out of untreated cedar timber. Cedar is naturally antifungal so lasts longer than other untreated woods, and unlike treated lumber it will not leach toxic chemicals into the soil.
We've harvested a couple tomatoes and peppers and some basil and one okra and are keeping a close eye on the baby watermelons. The blueberries are over for the season
We have some hardcore (9 year old) volunteers that show up every morning to help out, and thanks to them the woodchip pile is gone (and thanks to Chase and Tora for lending extra wheelbarrows, and Chase for shoveling!), and the back fence is clear of vines and brush.
School starts next week, and we're planning on working with afterschool groups to start fall programs in the garden. I will also soon be setting regular work hours in the garden, so if anyone is interested in coming over to help out or just chat, you know when you can find me. Any suggestions for volunteer hours? I was thinking several days during the week and one day at least of after school hours, and Saturdays.
Your neighborhood gardener,
Kyla (Edgewood Community Garden Educator)
Fiskars, The Home Depot and Southeastern Horticultural Society partner to transform a barren lot into a blossoming garden
Where yesterday there was a vacant lot, today the Edgewood community boasts a lush garden. Brightly flowering annuals and perennials, hundreds of delicious vegetables in new raised beds and majestic towering trees create a new gathering place for Edgewood residents.
The most amazing part: the entire transformation took just a single day – thanks to the efforts of a determined team. Fiskars and The Home Depot helped to return a sense of community back to the residents of Edgewood through the Fiskars Project Orange Thumb initiative.
A team of over 50 executives, employees, and volunteers tilled and planted from early morning to late afternoon at the garden site on June 20. The makeover included all donated labor, design time, project coordination, tools and necessary supplies. Fiskars selected the Edgewood neighborhood for this project and coordinated, developed, designed and managed the day long makeover. The Home Depot donated all planting materials and supplies for the project, and assisted with the garden design and installation.
“The Edgewood Community Garden is the fifth in a series of national gardening projects for Fiskars. We hope that this further celebrates the importance of gardening in providing beauty, sustainable food resources and a place of community,” said Paul Tonnesen, President of Fiskars.
Who will benefit from this new garden?
Over 300 neighborhood members will have a gathering place, food and flowers.
3 large schools will utilize the location for their curriculum. Several worships locations will provide support.
2 Senior Centers will have access, so residents can remain active in their gardening hobbies.
Local Master Gardeners and Horticulture society members will provide routine learning and hands-on experiences throughout the season.
The Edgewood Community Garden Makeover initiative is an extension of Fiskars’ successful Project Orange Thumb Grant program. Through grants, Fiskars provides community garden groups with the tools and materials needed to reach their goals for neighborhood beautification and horticulture education. Project Orange Thumb successfully completed a garden makeover in Toronto, Ontario, in the Scarborough Neighborhood this year, and they have another planned for the Baltimore area later this summer.