Community gardens, growing organic in the city

Submitted by Evelyn Kiefer on Thu, 04/05/2007 - 22:02.
   
   

I recently joined this community garden in Ohio City. I have been an avid gardener since I was a toddler. In the past I have grown vegetables, flowers and herbs. I like to try a few new plants every year. This year I will be trying rutabaga and white pumpkins, among many other things. Most exciting, this garden is organic. The larger community garden in Ohio City, called Kentucky, on Franklin, is also organic. Both gardens have been tested by the Ohio State Extension for lead and other toxins in the soil.

This is my first try at organic gardening. I used to use Preen, Roundup and Miracle Grow, but now I see the evil of my ways. I will be trying to learn as much as I can about organic gardening. I will welcome any advice from Realneo members. I will be posting updates and pictures from the garden. I will let you know what works and what does'nt.

It does not look like much right now but our group has big plans for our garden. A local artist will be making a mural for the fence. We will be intalling a new fence and a gate. A play area for little gardeners is planned for the back. We plan to host a potluck and I have been asked to organize an art project for a day during the summer. I checked out the ground and it looks great, soft and rich. I was excited to find that I have some mint in my plot. Hopefully there will be enough to harvest for mint juleps on derby day!

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Mayor Brewer wants many community gardens in the EC

I met today with Mayor Brewer, of East Cleveland, and he is really focusing on the issue of healthy food in his city - he'd like to see community gardens on every block, using land bank properties for that. They have the landbank properties, and he needs broader community support. While it may seem like a lot to have a community garden every block, as Evelyn points out we have two community gardens within a few blocks of our home in Ohio City.

I'm planning to set up a meeting of Maurice Small, Mayor Brewer and Development Director Angela Bennett to get this rolling, in the next week or so - if anyone else really wants to get involved in this at a serious level... let me know by email/contact or post here.

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don't forget Rafala Green

When planning gardens in EC, don't forget to talk with Rafala Green. I learned about her here I think via Evelyn. And the Ohio State University Extension of Cuyahoga County.

Check out E.C. Grows, the

Check out E.C. Grows, the Community Garden in East Cleveland! The garden is located on the property of Coit Road Farmer's Market (Coit and Dover, in East Cleveland).  Anyone is welcome.  Volunteers get together Wednesdays and Saturdays, with watering days in between.  Call  Gladys for more information: 216-681-8535. 

Here's what that will look like in 5 months

Same garden and viewpoint, different season....

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Definitely Rafala - an artist of the day

I love her work - the labyrinth at Hodge is one of my favorie works of public art anywhere... here is Rafala's Art of the Day on REALNEO

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