One of the best things about living in the little suburban borough that we live in, and there are many good reasons to live here, has been and still is the community garden.
There is just no way that you can walk through the path that divides the little plots and not smile. Gardeners, I have found are a diverse and free thinking group of people. Inventive and clever, they have been a source of inspiration and amazement to me for many years now.
Walking through the gardens this past weekend, I was delighted to find a bright red Poppy growing right smack in the middle of a veggie patch. The Marigolds always catch my eye and there was one little garden that could have come right out of the French countryside, with its red and white tabletop and weathered basket. The green-bean tepees are wonderful garden architecture and we have one particular rocket scientist, and I use that phrase lovingly because he is brilliant, who has devised a watering contraption.
Like a giant squid taking over the Earth, it actually makes sense and is a fun addition to the regular rectangular plots.
In another few weeks, the gardens will be so full and lush that it will be difficult to distinguish one plant from another...a blood pressure lowering Eden.
So why is the community garden so relevant in 2011? My reasons would be companionship and solitude, a place to express imagination, to watch the miracle of a tiny seed sprout into beauty and sustenance. It is a place to wonder, and wander...to touch the ground that holds us and create something that our ancestors taught us. Most importantly, it is a reminder of why we are here in the first place...it is essential to our survival. I am grateful for many things, and living in a community that continues the tradition of the community garden is just one.
This post is being linked to A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday and the Rumson-Fair Haven Patch.
♥, Susan
I love to hear about your community garden every year!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | June 07, 2011 at 02:27 PM
That's so cool! I love the pics of your community garden and the reasons you love it so!
Posted by: Heather | June 07, 2011 at 03:13 PM
I LOVE community garden!
CONGRATS
XOXO
Posted by: Only Cute Things | June 07, 2011 at 04:02 PM
My husband and I were just talking about how a community garden would be a great thing for our neighborhood. Thank you for sharing yours.
Posted by: Kate | June 07, 2011 at 06:56 PM
I think community gardens are so wonderful...we don't have one, but everyone in my neighborhood has a garden and everyone shares...I love it!
Posted by: Linda | June 07, 2011 at 10:20 PM
Gardening can sure bring a community together.
Posted by: Cindy@OldTimePickers | June 08, 2011 at 03:21 AM
I saw a sign offering garden space for rent and thought of you and how much you love your community garden. My problem is "out of sight, out of mind". I would likely grow a jungle.....I love the photos you share of these gardens.
Posted by: Becky K. | June 08, 2011 at 04:41 AM
It must be great to have a community garden, lovely photos!
Posted by: fjällripan | June 08, 2011 at 05:10 AM
Love community gardens!
Posted by: Jane | June 08, 2011 at 05:23 AM
A ides if a community garden sounds interesting! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Honey | June 08, 2011 at 06:52 AM
Love the community garden, wish there was one where I am. Great shots, I love the water pump!
Posted by: Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook | June 08, 2011 at 07:25 AM
Beautiful thoughts to accompany beautiful pictures! Thank you for that walk in the garden!
Posted by: Christie, Describe Happy | June 08, 2011 at 07:59 AM
How great that people want to garden and garden collectively. Good nutrition, great vegetables and wonderful community at the same time. You go girl.
Posted by: Ciaochowlinda | June 08, 2011 at 10:44 AM
Hi! Your pix look great and we are so happy to see that our corn plants were included! :) Plot #55
Posted by: Liz | June 09, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Thanks Liz...hope to be taking more pictures this weekend!
Posted by: susan ericson | June 09, 2011 at 02:12 PM
Susan, did you know that one time our garden was run by a school teacher named Ms. Manly. She graded each of us and if you used items such as plastic or other non degradable material you received a one grade reductiion. She lived in Fair Haven and was one tough lady. Jim Hoffman
Posted by: James E. Hoffman | June 26, 2011 at 05:56 PM
Hi Jim, I did not know that...so interesting. I am actually putting together a post about how some gardens differ from others. There seems to be a lot of invention (including Mr. Raevis of course) going on. I think the gardens are beautiful this year. I would love to be able to write the history of the garden, so if you have any other information that you would like to share I would appreciate it. I do know that the property used to be part of an azalea nursery, but I do not know who owned it.
Regards, Susan
Posted by: susan ericson | June 27, 2011 at 08:24 AM