6 Responses to “By request: a thread about community gardening”

1. posted by brenda p at June 13, 2008 2:25 pm :
   

   Let me be the first to contribute to this discussion. Not long ago I called up the Tricycle Gardens folks to ask about whether they would be interested in partnering with interested parties in Petersburg toward a Petersburg community garden(s), and if so, what their requirements are. Answer: yes, and their requirements would be that a suitable site (good sunlight) be IDd and a team of folks willing to commit to the project 2+ years step forward. They have a team of architects that can draw up plans suitable to the site at hand, and can recommend either excavation/replacement of soil or an above-ground garden as needs dictate.

2. posted by Chip at June 13, 2008 2:55 pm :
   

   I think this is a great idea! Hopefully we can use some of the vacant spaces around town to promote this. It could also be carried to our schools in the form of weather/science gardens. Sign me up!

3. posted by brenda p at June 13, 2008 3:02 pm :
   

   You’ll first have to call the Tricycle Gardens folks to sign up at their shindig. :-D

   Seriously, the benefits are many… a few, in no particular order:

   * aesthetic — a great way to use scruffy empty lots

   * greater food independence

   * reduction of grocery bills

   * for those who are currently unable to afford produce, increased nutritional opportunities

   * location in the middle of a neighborhood –> walking-distance access to basic foodstuff

   * new skills for adults and children alike

4. posted by brenda p at June 15, 2008 3:44 pm :
   

   Maybe those who have signed up for a TG workshop can coordinate to carpool? I’ve signed up for the June 25 mtg.

5. posted by brenda p at June 16, 2008 10:11 am :
   

   From an Old Town Merchants’ email:

   The Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University has scheduled a Cool-Season Crops Field Day to teach growers, chefs, retailers, wholesalers and consumers about new vegetable varieties best planted in the early spring or fall.

   Free and open to the public, the field day will be held on Thursday, June 19 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at VSU’s Randolph Farm located on River Road, Ettrick.

   “Cool-season crops (lettuce, beets, turnips, bok choy, parsley, cilantro and dill) are important items for growers selling at Farmers Markets, to grocery stores and restaurants,” said Dr. Reza Rafie, VSU horticulture extension specialist.

   To register or for more information, call Carol Streetman, VSU administrative specialist, at (804) 524-5960 or e-mail cstreetman@vsu.edu.

6. posted by brenda p at June 27, 2008 9:42 am :
   

   Several of us carpooled to attend the 1st of Tricycle Gardens’ four workshops.

   I have lots of notes; I’ll gather them into a coherent form for sharing on this site sometime this weekend.

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