LEAF Community begins work on first community garden site

[Chris Trapp]

More than a dozen members of the Lakewood Earth And Food Community jumped into action Saturday at a community garden in Birdtown known affectionately as the Plover Patch. Several members of the LEAF Community who have gardened at this site in recent years saw an opportunity to fill the garden, which has had open plots in the past.


Plover Patch prior to LEAF

Garden Leader, Lynn Rodemann, drafted a plan to better utilize the unused portions of the garden. Number one on the to-do list was to begin work on improving the soil. Lynn's call to action was answered by a dozen enthusiastic LEAF members, who braved the rain to clean up litter, spread newspaper, spread wood chips, and pose for photos.


Loading wood chips

One of the special surprises of the day was the reception LEAF received from several members of the neighborhood. One neighbor donated several hand tools, a lawnmower, and a grill to the cause. Another, Charlotte, and her daughter were so interested that they picked up rakes and helped to spread wood chips for several hours.

Next on Lynn's List is to spread six inches of leaf humus over the garden plots. Saturday March 31st is delivery day. If you would like help out, you can contact Lynn.


The end of work day #1.

Jim O'Bryan has many other photos that I am sure will be posted at some point.

edited to correct photos

[DougHuntingdon]

This looks great. Did someone donate the use of the land, or was this formerly a neglected piece of land owned by an absentee landlord?

Doug

[Chris Trapp]

While no one is quite sure, it appears to be a city-owned property. It has been gardened in some form for many years.

In addition to the Plover Patch, we are currently talking with a private property owner near the center of the city that has a large area of lawn which is unused. It looks very promising that we will be able to secure this additional spot and turn it into garden plots. When its a done deal, we will be moving quickly to get the land ready to garden.

[Jim O'Bryan]

Chris and Dan

Shot about 50 photos, here are a couple. I was very impressed at the hard work by all on a rainy miserable day.

What LEAF is doing is so very important.


Some members smooth the mulch as others brought it over.



The urban gardeners from the LEAF Community Plover Community Gardens.

Very proud of you all.

Keep up the good work.


.

[Tom Bullock]

Jim, thanks for the photos.

Lynne, Dan, Chris, Mike, & the gang--thanks for your leadership in pulling this together. I was happy to be a grunt. You found the 40 acres; I'm the mule. Looking forward to "humus day" next Saturday. I'll get rolling on my seed-sprouting duties...

It was fun,
Tom