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Community Gardens in Rosewood
October 18, 2008
It is that time of the year again - cool enough to enjoy a beautiful fall workday in the garden! As one who treasures gardens, it was with great interest that I attended the special "Gardening and Compost Demonstration" at the Rosewood Community Garden. I learned not only about new composting techniques but also about a new initiative that engages neighborhood residents and children along with a team of volunteer master gardeners in some of our city park areas.For the past several years two "community gardens" have been operating in Rosewood - one in the historic Edisto Court Community and the other behind the Ben Arnold Center. Working with the Rosewood Community Council leaders and neighborhood leaders in Edisto Court, volunteers with the Carolina Peace "Common Ground" initiative have developed demonstration vegetable gardens and, in the process, have been educating children and residents about how we grow food.
The Edisto Court Community Garden opened in 2005 and its produce has included tomatoes, cabbages, eggplants, corn, and watermelons. Neighborhood children entered their produce in the State Fair competitions and won numerous blue ribbons. Its success led to the establishment of the Rosewood Garden behind the behind the Ben Arnold Center on South Holly street. A special Children's Summer Workshop Series has been held to more fully engage neighborhood children in gardening and food production. This past August the SC Midlands Master Gardeners Association made a significant grant to the Common Ground program to support and underwrite the programs in Rosewood. While attending the Garden Demonstration I ran into Hollywood-Rose Hill resident and Master Gardener Ryan Nevius, who has taken a special interest in the program. Ryan shared with me her experiences in the neighborhood park on Gregg Street, where families and residents "adopt" plot areas each year for flowers and/or vegetables. This initiative has been a great way for neighbors to get to know one another and to share a common experience in the joys of gardening.
Learn more about the Common Ground program for the Rosewood Community Gardens>>