Date: Aug. 25, 2008
Tags: Community Gardening, Southwest Gardener, Phoenix Permaculture, Gardening

Community Gardening is a 'hot' topic these days.  It's become a way to unite communities and to assist in educating kids and adults about the possibilities of raising food and beautifying the neighborhood, especially in an urban setting. 

 

About 2 months ago, I was contacted to assist with the birth of Coronado's  community garden. Assembled at the first meeting was a young woman from our local Ashram (the Seikh community),  a gentleman who works for Blue Sky Farms, one of the directors of the Neighborhood and me. It was decided to look for sites within our community, including the Ashram, for a Community Garden. 

 

We decided on the previous Community Garden site, behind the Probation Office, as our first attempt, since this site had an irrigation system. Our meeting on Saturday, headed by Phoenix Permaculture Guild, gave us great information for the placement of a garden on this site. We also discussed rainwater harvesting, and we’re determined to make this a part of our Garden. 

 

We’re really excited to begin our Garden, and this planning is such an important phase, but it’s so tedious. However, I know from past experiences, not all of which were pleasant, that the placement of any garden is critical to its success. 

 

We will begin planning for work dates, gathering  volunteers, and, hopefully, encourage participation from the Permaculture Guild, as well as the Master Gardener program, to make our garden a success. I really want to get planting, but I am aware that for a Community Garden, the Community must be involved, in all levels.

 

We were extremely fortunate that one of the owners of Southwest Gardener lives in Coronado and she and the shop have donated bags of vegetable and flower seeds for our use in the Garden. So, we have the seeds, the ideas, and the enthusiasm. Now, all we need is a plan and the volunteers to make it work. I’ll keep you posted on our progress.

Date: Apr. 12, 2008
Tags: Gardening, Southwest, Hollyhocks, Roses, Ponds, Butterflies

Uplifting Gardens

 

One of my favorite pastimes is to garden, which may seem strange to those of you living in other parts of the country. Gardening in the Southwest is challenging, but not impossible. When I walk into my backyard, I see roses blooming, hollyhocks raising their stalks to the sky with their beautiful pink and maroon blossoms, chamomile blooming and filling the air with its tangy scent, penstamens on their silvery stalks with their beautiful pink and red flowers, and more butterflies and ladybugs than I can count. 

 

The hummingbirds visit my pond in the morning and I greet each of them. I can hear their twittering as they swoop to drink water from the waterfall. I’m listening to the birds chirping as I write this. It’s a wonderful time of the year and so enjoyable to spend time out of doors. 

 

Gardening brings such peace and joy to my life. I love to watch things bloom and thrive. The desert can be cruel because if the intensity of the sun and the lack of humidity, but many plants love the heat, just as I do.