Why Garden?

A source of joy, peace, solace and community service, everyone should consider incorporating a little garden time

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When walking around my local community garden, I glanced over and realized that there was a bright yellow sunflower beaming it’s petals in my face. Almost like the sun. (Sarah Caballero)

What is the importance of having a community garden? This may have the first time many people have even seen these words or if they have seen this word before, they may have overlooked its importance. Trust me, for the longest time I had no clue what a community garden was, I didn’t even know that such thing existed. It wasn’t until late 2020 I discovered it. While I was searching for new hobbies for me to do, I thought about how interesting gardening is. However, since I live in a townhome, I didn’t have enough space to build the garden I want. That’s when I started researching about how I could start a garden. What many people may have not realized is that community gardens have the ability to decrease crime in high-crime cities, bring food for food deserts or supply fresh vegetables, herbs, or any fruit to your dinners, improves physical and mental health, and, of course, community gardens help improve the environments’ conditions. There are also some minor benefits such as being able to take beautiful flowers home and display them on your living room table. 

There were many vibrant flowers covering the community garden, which makes this acorn squash shine bright in the garden. It’s one of the many things that will catch your eye. (Sarah Caballero)

However, many people don’t realize how dedicated and hardworking the people who take care of the community gardens are. There are many issues that arise from creating and maintaining a garden. One prime issue many individuals face is how to keep animals and pests from eating your crops. What most people suggest is to build a large fence around the garden. However, that does not always work since many animals can simply dig or hop over the fence, if it’s short enough. One infamous solution is to soak tunnels in castor oil for animals who dig or spray dish soap with cinnamon all over the crops.

There are many solutions to control pests and animals from getting into gardens. Another main issue people continue to have is what to do when the winter comes and wipes out all your plants. From researching and observing in my years, there’s not much you can do. However, before winter comes, people prepare by planting certain types of plants such as radishes, pumpkins, kale, potatoes etc.

To help gain insight and clarity, I emailed my science teacher for an interview. My first question I asked him was if he thought community gardens are beneficial and if so how are they. He replied saying that he does think they’re beneficial since it empowers people. He went on to say that it’s a great feeling to know that you can now provide your own food, which may be more beneficial for places that are a food desert.

My next question to him was me asking if he have thought about or if he owns a garden. Surprisingly, he said that he does have a garden in his backyard, particularly a vegetable garden. When asking him a question concerning what to do when animals start eating his crops, he responded with saying that it’s a frustrating concept, but he accepts that it goes with the territory. However, he installed rabbit fences and covers the bed with fencing to keep the squirrels out. He doesn’t use pesticides since he doesn’t want to kill any insects or critters.

As I looked around at the flowers I couldn’t stop from thinking how this particular flower looked like an artist had painted red strokes and dots onto its petals. I was surprised that mother nature can make something look so unique. (Sarah Caballero)

Next, I asked if he knows anyone who owns a garden in which he responded with saying that he has a few friends who own a garden and one that is involved in the community garden near Warhill. When asking him if he enjoys walking around the community gardens, he said that often passes by the community garden in Warhill and enjoys investigating what’s going on there. He actually recommends that everyone should check it out and to go to the botanical garden at Freedom Park. I asked him for any tips on planting his crops. He said that his biggest tip it to “just do it.”

He suggests to start small and to do as much research as you can before starting. For example, when to grow certain crops in the summer or in winter. I then asked him if he knew that gardening decreases crime rate. He wasn’t surprised at all. He actually has read about this correlation before in articles about community gardens in Detroit. After that, I asked what he thinks is the most stressful issue that gardeners face. He stated that critters are probably the most stressful thing about gardening. However, he noted that gardening, to him, isn’t a very non-stressful activity for the most part. It only becomes frustrating when something that you have taken case of is destroyed or eaten by a rabbit or a groundhog and if you fight them you begin to realize that they’re relentless and just trying to survive.  Since he realizes that they’re just trying to stay alive he embraces it.

I ended by asking him what is the best thing you can get rom being part of a community  garden. He said, that he isn’t involved in one but he thinks if he was in one he would enjoy sharing tips and food with everyone else. The sense of community is a great feeling to him.