Yesterday was sunny. It was warm and I had the perfect chance to start laying down the cardboard for the paths of the garden. So I proceeded to break up all of the very large boxes I had and lay them down on the grass. I have a neighbor diagonally from me. He has band practice every Sunday afternoon with his hardcore deathmetal band. I don't mind, it is nice that they do it in the afternoon and not at 11 at night. Anyway, he walked outside no less than 12 times yesterday to . . .
1) let his dog out
2) smoke
3) clean his gutters
. . . but mostly, I believe, to watch me. Why didn't he come over? Why didn't any of the 4 people watching this new girl on the block lay down dozens of boxes on her front lawn come over and ask me what the heck I was doing? This is precisely the reason why I am doing this neighborhood garden. In a few weeks when I have some serious work to get done, I will hang door signs and go to the neighborhood meetings and do anything else I need to do to get the word out. Come over and hang out with us. Plant some seeds, pull some weeds and learn about where your food should come from.
I am super excited and everyone around me knows it. Overwhelmed, yes but soooooo excited. I have gotten a few responses from people who have some random things to share (Loretta I am taking you up on your offer), but we need more. We need seeds and plants and all sorts of yummy things that we can share with the kids around town. The kids, they are the ones who will benefit the most from this. They are more than welcome to come over and see why some bugs are good and why worms are vital. There will be a section in the garden with birdhouses, bat-houses and beehouses. The educational part of it is the most exciting for me. Cool, huh? Come over and take a look. Ask me questions and grab a shovel.
This is so exciting and interesting. I am very interested to see how your neighbors respond. It is wonderful you and Lisa are bringing yourselves out of the back yard and into the front. The trend for houses is to have no front yards and no porches. You two have added a new concept of front garden and a neighborhood garden at that. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteTwo things you might be interested in checking out to help with your efforts - one is our local chapter of www.freecycle.org Lots of folks giving away plants, garden tools, garden decor stuff, you name it. You can list a "Wanted" post and let stuff pour in.
ReplyDeleteAnd, here is a website for some neat folks who also started a "front yard" revolution quite some time ago. Tons of inspiring stuff on their blog and website http://urbanhomestead.org/journal/