If you nurture the garden, it will nurture you. One of my favorite projects that I've been a part of since I've lived in Milwaukee is the community garden on 1st and Center. This is the first season I've gardened in the city, and am happy to report clear successes so far... in the form of vegetables.
The plot is owned by the City, was managed under the UW Extension for some years. After attending a and we found it through the Extension. They were not able to give it the time and resources necessary this year. A small group of committed students and friends of mine The soil has been tested and enriched with compost and topsoil over the years. Thankfully, the Extension covers our water bill. We just use the fire hydrant on the corner and hook it up to a hose. The compost pile is growing by the week with donations of coffee grounds and old produce to add to our weeds.
Some of the neighbors are very involved, including the man on the left in the bottom picture. He lives with his family across the street and comes to weed his section and water the entire garden on hot days that we don't come. We have an open door policy: If you take care of the garden, it can take care of you.
In the top picture, I'm mounding our fabulous potatoes and Marta is weeding the beans.
A community garden comes with many questions, much uncertainty, trust, and a whole lot of work. More to come on the lessons we've learned already. Also more to come on what we produce and eat... with recipes if you are lucky.
