Iowa Group Creates Community Garden Project
“There is nothing more politicalthan food.” – Dick Fallow
by Caroline Vernon
Greetings Iowans! I would like to share with you all the ongoing developments of our first Community Garden Project of Progressive Action for the Common Good. This project is part of our PACG Local Foods Initiative. In addition to the garden project, we are working on Farm to Fork, establishing a local food coop and a seed saving library.
In are effort to raise awareness about food in our community, we have featured many important documentaries at our monthly social justice movie night, including, Food, Inc, The Future of Food, The World According to Monsanto, Unnatural Selection, and Fresh. We are also working on a Fall Economic Summit which focuses on the importance and impact of supporting our local economy, including our family farmers.
Dick Fallow once said to me, “There is nothing more political than food.” I couldn’t agree more… which is why we are committed to keeping these food related issues front and center and have recruited bloggers to share our ongoing developments of each of these local efforts with you on Blog for Iowa. Naturally, we would appreciate any insight and feedback you may be willing to share based on your own experiences with any of these initiatives.
Our PACG Community Garden project was actually conceived last year but we did not secure the land necessary for our first garden until mid summer so we finally broke ground this spring. Neighborhood Housing Association donated a very large, sunny plot of land for our use in implementing our community garden, located at 13th street and Grand avenue in Davenport.
Here is our first report on the development of our garden project:
Due to the monsoons, we have struggled with getting our first seeds into the ground but we are hoping the summer sun will be steadfast in manifesting the fruits (and vegetables) of our labor.
10’ X 10’ or 5’ x 15’ plots are available for only $10. Our garden is approximately 90’ long by 50’ wide. It’s a big one! We have many folks participating already but still have half a dozen plots available. We have establishing a common herb garden and flower bed in the center of the garden.
We hope to have a picnic table located near each of these 2 beds in the common area (a total of 2 picnic tables needed).
We have planted clusters of sunflowers at 3 of the 4 corners of the garden perimeter and will include scattered accents of ornamental grass.
The outside of the raised beds will be concrete mason block – we have had 200 donated by Quad City Brick and Stone. Some of our area youth will help us plant marigolds in each of the holes in the block to keep the rabbits from chowing our garden grub. 😉 Additionally, the kids are invited to paint colorful designs and images on the outside of the mason block… this is a wonderful community building component of our garden project.
I am just finishing up the garden sign which we will erect on the lawn at the corner of our lot which will be landscaped with mulch, flowers, and ornamental grass.
At the center of the garden will be a statue of Gaia, earth-mother-goddess, holding an offering bowl — at harvest we will encourage everyone to donate some of the 'fruits (& vegetables) of their labor' to the offering bowl for those who have naught… this is bound to create awesome karmic vibes that will bless our garden, ourselves, and each other! 🙂
The statue will be made of metal or concrete. I serendipitously ran into a gentleman artist on an elevator and he mentioned he was a sculptor who works with metal and concrete… I had just been dwelling on who I could get to make the centerpiece and literally moments later he stepped onto the elevator with me! Amazing how things come together when the cosmos want to participate! 🙂
If you are local to the Quad City area, we have quite a wish list to share with you all… ANY items that you may have and are willing to donate will go far to help us complete the garden design. Here is a list of what we need:
picnic tables (2)
wheel barrel
shed or 2 large benches with lids
x-tra tools of any kind (I've been finding some at garage sales)
any border materials for landscaping (brick, concrete edging, etc.)
Large bin with lid (that keeps out critters)
heirloom and/or organic seeds / starter plants (organic only – non-gmo)
money (please consider donating money towards our garden project)
Currently we are coordinating volunteers to erect the concrete garden wall (the outside of the raised beds) and help plant the marigolds with the area youth. Next, we will be encouraging the young people to paint the wall with all kinds of groovy positive images to help our garden vibes resonate throughout the neighborhood.
A flyer that promotes the garden is attached. ALL growers must use heirloom or all organic seeds. No pesticide use or gmo seed is permitted in our organic garden as it is our highest intention to honor and respect our earth mother. We have put together seed packets from the seeds that have been donated thus far which are priced ridiculously cheap.
Well friends, this is intended to give you an overview of our developments so far. If you are an avid gardener and have any tips or suggestions you would like to share, we’re all ears. If you have any questions, or would like to contribute something, want to volunteer, etc., we would welcome and appreciate any and all participation in our PACG Community Garden project.
I will keep you all informed of our progress — meanwhile, please let folks know about our garden and encourage them to come GROW with us!
Peace, Love and Gratitude,
Caroline Vernon
PACG Community Garden Coordinator
PACG cell: 563-676-7580
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