March 31, 2006
Gardening in the City
So, while I get ready to prune my perennial herbs and put them back on our fire escape to see if they come back, and contemplate how to secure a set of windowboxes on my stone sills so they don't fall and kill someone, I am also pursuing a more fulfilling means of satisfying my gardening urges this year (and one that is not technically against my lease, like those above). I am joining a community garden.
To those not in the New York area who are unfamiliar with community gardens, here's how they work in this city. Most were originally founded by residents who cleaned up vacant lots in the 70s and 80s (when the city was bankrupt and crime-ridden) in an effort to bring something positive to their neighborhoods. After a bunch got torn down in favor of development within the last decade due to real estate booming here, now many if not all of the ones that are left are part of land trusts and, in theory, protected non-profit entities (because amazingly enough the city actually recognizes that gardens are of worth to the community).
The one I am joining was founded in the late 80s and still has an active membership of I think something like 50 or 60 members. The first step in becoming a member is attending a monthly garden meeting, which I did this Wednesday. I got to find out all about the bureaucracy involved in this city and also about how the garden is run (with officers and committee leaders) and the various projects that are done throughout the year to maintain a sustainable asset and have fun doing it. And, as an added bonus, there was homemade "compost cake" (complete with cookie crumb dirt and gummy worms) for a committee leader's birthday.
My next step is to go to a work day and orientation. After that, I pay my dues, get a key, and begin my work as a member. I'll help with events, community projects, work days, and maybe even get my own individual plot (there's a wait list, but it's short). I'm really excited not only to get to garden when I don't have a yard, but also to get to know people in my neighborhood (some of the people have been working in the garden since it was founded) and begin to feel like I am really a part of the community instead of just a resident. |
To those not in the New York area who are unfamiliar with community gardens, here's how they work in this city. Most were originally founded by residents who cleaned up vacant lots in the 70s and 80s (when the city was bankrupt and crime-ridden) in an effort to bring something positive to their neighborhoods. After a bunch got torn down in favor of development within the last decade due to real estate booming here, now many if not all of the ones that are left are part of land trusts and, in theory, protected non-profit entities (because amazingly enough the city actually recognizes that gardens are of worth to the community).
The one I am joining was founded in the late 80s and still has an active membership of I think something like 50 or 60 members. The first step in becoming a member is attending a monthly garden meeting, which I did this Wednesday. I got to find out all about the bureaucracy involved in this city and also about how the garden is run (with officers and committee leaders) and the various projects that are done throughout the year to maintain a sustainable asset and have fun doing it. And, as an added bonus, there was homemade "compost cake" (complete with cookie crumb dirt and gummy worms) for a committee leader's birthday.
My next step is to go to a work day and orientation. After that, I pay my dues, get a key, and begin my work as a member. I'll help with events, community projects, work days, and maybe even get my own individual plot (there's a wait list, but it's short). I'm really excited not only to get to garden when I don't have a yard, but also to get to know people in my neighborhood (some of the people have been working in the garden since it was founded) and begin to feel like I am really a part of the community instead of just a resident. |