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Community Gardening
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NGC has a new
project, and FFGC is ready to dig in!
Community
Gardening
Productive
+ Educational + Pretty = PEP GARDENS
This
is a new chairmanship, but not a new idea! Community gardening
has been practiced for tens of thousands of years, yet the concepts
fit right in with National Garden Club’s mission of education,
networking, love of gardening, and civic and environmental responsibility.
FFGC’s focus on Youth, plus the need to expand membership
in garden clubs, and to promote personal and environmental well-being,
combine to make community gardens an ideal project.
Many other chairmanships can utilize these gardens to promote and
implement their goals. Our efforts involving Habitat homes,
native plants, butterfly gardens, water conservation and rain barrels,
schools and youth programs - often led by our many Consultants in
Gardening, Environment and Landscape - already include community
gardens of some kind.
Florida has such diverse gardening conditions, plus a growing population
of newcomers of all ages from all over the country – and world
– who may need to learn new methods, that we have a unique
opportunity to share our knowledge for the benefit of all.
Our young people are the future, and we can pass on our love and
understanding of nature through the community garden concept, helping
ensure a healthy population in a healthy environment.
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This
is a great way to share our knowledge and love of gardening with
our neighbors. North, Central or South, from the Panhandle
to the Keys, we can, and do, garden all year long!
So many people live in places where private gardens are restricted,
or they have moved here from somewhere else and are unfamiliar with
Florida gardening.
*School gardens - too many children don’t know where food
comes from!
*Senior Living Facilities – older gardeners might need help
with preparation.
*Habitat homeowners can grow some vegetables.
*Scouting, from Gardening merit badge to Eagle projects.
*Inner-city apartment dwellers need green spaces –
roof and balcony container gardens can grow food!
*Churches might have garden space to share.
*Gated communities often dictate planting requirements, but a dedicated
area for a productive garden could be found.
*Immigrant and Migrant population can grow their familiar vegetables
and herbs.
*Multi-use developments with condos, shops, restaurants, etc. might
have herb gardens.
Community gardening is practiced all over the country. Usually
they are for vegetables and herbs – but flowers are always
welcome! Natural, safe practices are encouraged, organic
or not. Water conservation is a given, as watering is usually
done by hand or with a drip hose. Rain barrels are welcome!
Composting can easily be practiced and taught at the same time.
Raised beds are highly recommended for many reasons,
particularly in South Florida with its very sandy soil.
Nutrition and food education is so important, and ties in well with
community gardening projects.
National Garden Club is currently working on its program, and will
have info on their web site. Meanwhile, a good source of information
is the Florida Community Garden Network www.nnninfo.org
Remember – this is Florida – and we have our own unique
conditions, seasons, and population. Add some PEP to
your community!!! And -- include Florida native plants wherever
possible.
As the Chairman of this new program, I will help all of you in any
way I can.
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