Garden brings neighbors together at Montpelier housing complex
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Sonny Kenyon, 72, checks the progress of beets in his portion of the community garden at Hebert Farms housing complex in Montpelier. Five families have plantings in the garden. |
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By SARAH HINCKLEY Times Argus Staff - Published: June 17, 2009
MONTPELIER – By the time Catori Simpson, 4-months-old, is ready to try solid foods, there may be some produce fresh from the garden behind his home at Hebert Farms Apartments.
His mom, Corina Simpson, 28, is one of five residents who have a plot in the new community garden at the public housing complex on Hebert Road, off Berlin Street.
On June 6, as a kick-off to National NeighborWorks Week, nearly 35 volunteers, including employees of the Central Vermont Community Land Trust and residents of the housing complex, worked to make a patch of weeds and grass into a six-plot garden.
"I've been gardening since I was, like, 12," said Simpson, a mother of two, who had a garden at her last residence. "I'm glad … vegetables are so expensive. To be able to grow my own is going to save me this winter."
It was through the men who provide maintenance at the complex that officials of the CVCLT, who manage the property, learned residents were hoping to have a garden. A few months ago letters were sent out to the residents of the 10 units to see who would like to participate if a community garden was created.
"We definitely like the idea of giving our residents the opportunity both to do something they're interested in and that will benefit them in some other way," said Megan Belser, 27, who has been an AmeriCorps member with CVCLT since last September. "We brought some things to start with that day, but they all had a ton of seeds."
Each plot began with a tomato plant starter from the organization, and then residents put in whatever they wanted.
"On the top row we've got stuff the kids started at school," said Billi Quittner, 29, who has four children, listing off a variety of seeds. "It's mostly easy stuff that I can't really ruin. If I get a cucumber out of this, I'll be stoked."
While her daughter Ezme, 5, flits along the straw path that separates the plots, checking the seedlings, Quittner holds her son, Necalli Wickenheiser, six-months-old. She comments about how often neighbor Sonny Kenyon, 72, is out checking the soil during the day.
"I love gardens, I tell you," said Kenyon, listing the crops he's planted, including corn for his wife, Karen. "I come out here all the time. I come out here to check on the garden."
It took at least five hours during the initial ground-breaking to remove many stalks of stubborn burdock and other weeds. Once it was cleared, the earth was tilled and mixed with compost.
"They were planting seeds by the end of the day," said Belser, explaining that the organization didn't anticipate residents' enthusiasm. "We were thinking of doing a demo plot, if there was a leftover one."
The sixth plot became the catch-all for any leftover seeds and each of the residents will monitor its progress. A fence, made with donated material from an area garden supply store, surrounds the 576-square-foot garden, complete with a wooden gate donated by a CVCLT employee.
"It gives us a chance to get to know each other – and maybe share our vegetables," said Quittner, noting the advantages to the community garden. "(Also,) having something that everyone could work on together; a reason to be outside with the kids and give them something to do."
A transplanted Marigold in Quittner's plot is the only obvious sign the earth will bear fruit – so far. Kenyon points out to the others that the corn has popped through the ground and is nearly an inch high. His enthusiasm for what is to come is on par with that of Quittner's older children, who helped with the planting.
"They're kids, so once we plant the seeds, they're, like, 'when can we pick it?'" She said, not convinced anything of substance will materialize. "I'll call it my practice garden."
Contact Sarah Hinckley at sarah.hinckley@timesargus.com.
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