Inch by inch, row by row

 

We started the garden at "Rosa B" yesterday, with the help of three volunteers and thirteen children. Collards, lettuce, carrots and radishes are started and hopefully will remain - untrampled and well-watered. The kids were enthusiastic about the baby plants. We are looking forward to preparing after-school salad snacks and sending some greens home to their families. And there's room to grow in the spring.

Today, while I was hanging out the laundry, I answered some questions from a UF student who helped us plant the garden and wanted to write about her experience for her reporting class. She wanted to know why we garden, and my mind skipped around looking for justification: Because we are trying to match our skills with the needs of the community? Because so many children living in poverty are malnourished? Because our neighbors would enjoy the fresh veggies? Lots of justifications. But the main reason is so simple: Because we eat. Why not garden?

Every little step out of the dehumanizing corporate food system is a step toward creating a better one. Two little gardens. They're tiny alright, but they're growing.

Comments

[Sheila B.]

Kelli,
What a lovely entry. Many God bless your "tiny" gardens with a bountiful harvest!

Sheila

[Cindy in FL]

I knew you would be gardening wherever you could find some space. I found this link to a gardening blog for a community garden at a church in California. Thought you might enjoy it.
http://holynativityparish.org/wordpress/
Happy growing!
Cindy