Reclaim the Earth-- One yard at a Time

These lovely plants are pumpkins. I snapped this picture today after several hours of side-dressing the plants with compost. Last fall, I proposed we use a small portion of a local church property to grow a pumpkin patch with the proceeds to benefit the local food bank. The congregation wanted to understand sustainable agriculture. I saw an opportunity to reclaim the earth--clean up our own backyard so to speak.

The project is also an opportunity to educate the congregation. Many have never grown anything but some of these very same members were the first to step forward and take a week of patch care involving watering and weeding. In March, I used the lasagna layer technique to prepare the ground as this was clay sod. So far the patch is thriving.

If this project goes well I hope to see the congregation explore a type of neighborhood community garden. As you can see from the photo, the location of the church property stretches up to a large apartment complex. Perhaps some of these residents would enjoy working with the earth and growing fresh vegetables. Check back here in a few weeks for updates on the community project.