That’s it exactly! “I want to get to know my neighbors” is the #1 sentiment expressed by folks coming out to be a part of our neighborhood’s greenspace effort. Even the headaches of getting it started serve the purpose of building bonds. Folks with an avid interest in gardening likely already have a backyard patch or a patio pot of tomatoes going. It really IS the people, not the plants. Folks are hungry for deeper community roots. Community gardening offers the perfect opportunity to build friendships in a relaxed & positive environment.

Right on about a garden tomato. Along about November is when I start craving them in earnest, even after glutting myself with them all summer…

” As they strolled along the streets of a German town, Röpke pointed, with satisfaction, to the many small vegetable gardens kept by the residents of city. The economist shook his head disapprovingly and grumbled. “A very inefficient way of producing foodstuffs.” Whereupon Röpke responded, “But perhaps a very efficient way of producing human happiness.”

Instead of going to the gym to exercise, I exercise in the sunshine and can feed my family from my garden. Fresh basil tastes so good in eggs, and it’s so easy to grow.

It’s enormously satisfying to plant something, watch it grow and ripen and produce something tasty.

I guess I’m doing something good for the environment. I have a compost heap and my banana peels, grass clippings, fall leaves and egg shells wind up in the compost instead of in a landfill somewhere.