DIGGING IN: Community Gardening in Glencairn Grows Food and Friendship

In the spring of 2013, Glencairn neighborhood resident Beth Prince had to remove some dying pine trees from her yard. The result was a wide open expanse of sun, a hot (no pun intended) commodity in Glencairn. While being known for mature trees that tower over the historical homes, many areas of the neighborhood are subject to omnipresent shade. In fact, instead of lush, manicured lawns, many homes utilize shade gardens and ground cover plants to complement their perennial gardens.

Prince had always wanted a vegetable garden in her yard, and this provided the perfect opportunity. Together with her two daughters and neighbors (my husband James and I, Adam and Leslie Thompson, and Matt and Jennie Allswede), she put four homemade, raised, garden beds in the newly found sunny spot.

Over Mothers’ Day weekend 2013, the families (including the children, ranging in age at the time from college-age to a one year old toddler) worked together to move a giant heap of soil, shovel by shovel, into the beds. We planted tomatoes, green beans, bell peppers, broccoli, cucumbers, zucchini, watermelon, hot peppers and herbs. We have since done the same thing every May for three seasons now, growing in our gardening skills and becoming a more close-knit community of neighbors.

There have been challenges. The first year, our zucchini succumbed to an insect. The second year, we began using our own seed starts; some made it, some didn’t. Our broccoli always tends to flower before we pick it. The weather last year resulted in a paltry cherry tomato crop, and they’re the kids’ favorites.

But, there have been great successes, too. Overflowing kale plants, hundreds of green beans picked right before dinner, crisp and fat cucumbers made into pickles, fresh peas the kids eat right from the plant, way too many habaneros (later donated to the 45th Parallel Polish Pickling Co., Meridian Township Farmers’ Market vendor); and hardy Brussels sprouts that ended up on my Christmas dinner table right from the stalk.

We all pitch in through planting, weeding, watering trimming, and harvesting. We have installed rain barrels on the contiguous lots. The garden has become our gathering place for sharing sippy cups and beers and catching up. Last summer, we had a slip and slide party for the kids using the garden watering hose, and ate chips and homemade salsa made from garden ingredients. And more beer.

We share a Facebook Group where we post recipes, pictures of dishes made with garden goodies, and of course pictures of the toddlers stuffing their mouths with cherry tomatoes.

Through this impromptu community garden, a group of busy families has found a great way to make time to get dirty, have fun, learn about gardening, and teach their children the responsibility and value of growing food and taking care of the earth. Just as importantly, we have grown into a close knit group that cares for and treats each other like family, bound by our common goal of feeding our families’ bodies and hearts.