Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Yes! A Plot of Our Own

Today, we became the proud lessees of a 20-by-30-foot patch of land in the new community garden across the street from our neighborhood. I couldn't even create a handful of 10x15 spaces our subdivision without charging more than $50 per person, but less than 100 yards away, 250 spacious community garden plots are now available to us at just $15 a pop, thanks to a partnership between the Fox Valley Park District and the Kane County Forest Preserve.

About a week ago, Len and I noticed several large rectangles of tilled earth in the grassy field (belonging to the forest preserve) that runs along a road bordering the north end of our neighborhood. Each time we drove by, to and from work, we wondered what it was about.

Yesterday, on the way home from work, I noticed small signs posted at the short end of each rectangle. We got home, fed the cat, and immediately hopped on our bikes to see what the signs were for. Labeled sections of newly planted wildflowers, perhaps? Some kind of organized prairie restoration project? Instead, the signs read, "Garden Plots 1-26," "Garden Plots 27-52," and so on.

Thrilled by the prospect of so many garden plots in such a convenient location, you better believe we snatched one up as soon as possible!

I'm so excited to have a large area for our pumpkins, squash and cucumbers—and more—this summer! Len wants to plant our various fruit tree seedlings there (we recently discovered that an apricot seed sprouted after I'd given up on it—a short story for another time), but permanent plantings aren't allowed, obviously, because the park district tills the ground every year.

Anyway, the plots open for planting on May 10, so stay tuned!

1 comment:

  1. That is really great. My wife and I garden frequently. Aside from my medical practice, I find gardening peaceful and calming. Keep up the great work with your articles and please stop by my health blog sometime. The web address is http://healthy-nutrition-facts.blogspot.com/.

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