Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Community Gardening in Michigan

Of course, on the day I begin to write about gardening, the temperature drops 20 degrees and it starts snowing. I refuse to think about winter, let's prepare for spring. Now is the perfect time to begin organizing your neighborhood and start a community garden. Here are some resources to get you started...

Most Americans now live in cities, and as we become more disconnected from the land and the people who grow our food, we lose a sense of foods' value. With its poor soil and dirty air, the city might seem like the last place to plant anything. But with a few tricks, we city dwellers can grow a bountiful harvest.

Community gardens are popping up all over, providing bits of green space amid the concrete. For a small fee, you can rent a plot for the season and can grow whatever vegetables and annual flowers you'd like. Community gardens usually provide everything you need: garden tools, water, even expert advice. Many gardens also participate in community programs for the homeless and local food banks.

The American Community Gardening Association has tons of useful information, including publications on starting a garden in your neighborhood.

There are a number of community gardens programs in Michigan. Here's a few that have information online:

Project Grow Community Gardens, Ann Arbor
Detroit Agriculture Network, Detroit
Growing Hope, Ypsilanti



Find books about Community Gardening

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