Growing Local Area Community Gardens Are Sprouting Up
by Yvette Lynn T
oday, throughout 18,000 community gardens cited by the American Com- munity Gardening Association, thousands of novice and experienced gar- deners are talking, blogging and posting stories online about their gardening experiences. Their Tweets and descriptions aren’t limited by dictionary defini- tions—these individuals are experientially learning that a garden is more than a plot or fertile piece of ground for cultivation.
To teachers, students, neighbors, friends and family members of all ages that dig, hoe, till and tend, the garden has become an oasis of gentility, a place to cultivate friendships and interact with nature. It’s also a sanctuary for sanity in a troubled world, a respite for replenishing the soul and a venue for bonding—a place that can be integral to preserving the fabric of a neighborhood or city. With gardening season now in the earliest planting stages, Natural Awaken-
ings found a number of opportunities in Collier and Lee counties where individu- als can join the fun by volunteering or renting space in an existing garden. It’s not too late to grab a trowel, share an earthy connection and learn where your food really comes from, in any one of our area’s seven community gardens.
Garden at Eden Organic Farm
From October through May, John Puig rents plots at the Eden Florida’s Eimerman Education Center gardens for $100, which includes garden tools, compost tea and the option to purchase fertilizer at Puig’s cost. He also offers a six-week introduc- tion to organic gardening. “We had a lighter showing than last year, which means that I now have space for 14 more individuals interested in tending their own plot, and room for 20 who are interested in the classes,” says Puig.
Happehatchee Community Garden
Twelve gardeners can enjoy the fruits of their labors at the Happehatchee Commu- nity Garden. The large plot, with 30-foot-long rows, is managed by Sam Periano, a Bonita Springs resident. A $100 donation to Happehatchee is the cost per row, and includes mulching and water from a drip irrigation system.
Heartland Gardens
A one-acre community garden tended by volunteers, Heartland Gardens is a —Continued on page 32.
30 Collier/Lee Counties
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