Gardening In Your Neighbor’s Yard
As an apartment dweller on a 3-year-long waiting list for a community garden plot, I’ve developed a radar for un-gardened lawns around the city. Could I knock on peoples’ doors, to introduce myself and ask if I can garden on their property, I keep wondering? I could pay them in money or garden treats, or both.
I recently met an inspiring man named Kollibri who has 12 gardens within city limits, most of these plots on other peoples’ property. He said all he did was pursue these pieces of land, talking to people in the community. With these urban gardens, he provides a CSA called Sunroot Gardens.
Kollibri does almost all his transportation by bicycle, doesn’t use chemical pesticides or genetically engineered seeds, and uses low or no irrigation. Since each garden has different characteristics and locations, he decides accordingly which crops to plant where. For example, the plot in his backyard is for plants requiring the most frequent attention. He also harvests from fruit trees around town whose fruits otherwise fall to the ground uneaten. I met Kollibri after I heard about his gardens and mustered up the courage to visit his home. Some woman chatting on the sidewalk told me he was around back, so I walked back there where he had a CSA stand. He welcomed me gregariously though I was a stranger wandering into his backyard, and I went home that day with 3 ears of corn, a beet, a smile, and his phone number to call him and help garden.
The next week Kollibri and I biked the 8 miles to Tryon Community Life Farm where he has a plot, making sure to take rests calming our pounding heartbeats. A gentleman named David, Kollibri, and I worked hard that day digging up weeds and planting a cover crop of Fava Beans, but we also talked, joked, saved little garden snakes from our hoes, noticed the swallows above our heads, and watched twirly maple seeds soaring like helicopters through the sky, the clouds zipping by, the trees swaying in the wind. Allowing ourselves to relax and be lighthearted made the day fly by, even if our arms were sore by the end.
Inspired by my positive experience meeting my neighbor Kollibri, my next goal is to muster up the courage to introduce myself to more neighbors and find a plot of my own to garden!
Oct 16, 2007
[...] came across this post – <b>Gardening</b> in Your Neighbor’s Yard – and thought it was worth sharing. I hope you find it interesting too and take the time to read [...]
Oct 17, 2007
I think that is so cool to find ways to garden even if you do not have a garden.
I have a small garden and used to grow vegetabale but the deer and the Woodchuck te everything so I stopped and have Dahlias. The deer do not eat DAhlias and I think the woodchuck while evicted fromudner the patio has taken up residence way back of the property but he is still a menace.kjv
Oct 17, 2007
I think that is so cool to find ways to garden even if you do not have a garden.
I have a small garden and used to grow vegetabale but the deer and the Woodchuck te everything so I stopped and have Dahlias. The deer do not eat DAhlias and I think the woodchuck while evicted fromudner the patio has taken up residence way back of the property but he is still a menace.kjv
Oct 17, 2007
My Uncle Steve had gardens all around the town of Mansfield, Pa., which he rented and grew all sorts of crops in the 1950s. He was the Postmaster of the town and did quite well. I’m glad to see that others are continuing in this tradition. Uncle Steve had been a horticulture graduate of Cornell and he was a master gardener. Thanks for the story. It brought back great memories from my childhood.
Mar 06, 2009
I’d love for someone to knock on my door with that question! I lived in an apartment up until last year and completely understand the need to dig in the dirt. We have dirt now, and I’d gladly give over garden space to someone in need!
Mar 06, 2009
Kollibri is an excellent person and he’s taught me everything I know about gardening. Thanks to him I have a 1/8 acre garden/farm which is already producing 2nd year greens. So glad you were also inspired by him.
Mar 06, 2009
I would love if an apartment dweller wanted to garden in my backyard! How do I advertise for such a thing?
Mar 06, 2009
A site for this type of relationship is alive and well in Seattle and looking to expand – http://www.urbangardenshare.org
Mar 06, 2009
There’s an organization called Lifecycles (www.lifecycles.ca) that runs a program called Sharing Back Yards, and it’s got affiliates all around Victoria BC (and even in Washington). I’m starting one up on Salt Spring Island!
Mar 07, 2009
a neighbour approached me about putting in a garden in a vacant yard next to my house in downtown toronto. i didi not own that property, so i could not give him permission. it was a doggie toilet anyways. there is a down side to having neighbours work your land and that is liability. before you know it someone will have sliced their toes off and they will be coming to the land owner for compensation.
Mar 08, 2009
I AM SEEKING PEOPLE TO GARDEN MY SUNNY 1/8 OF AN ACRE NEAR 91st and Powell. Any interested folks? We share the harvest! Call FionaRhea @ 503-234-2811
Mar 09, 2009
A Portland-based way to connect with people with land (or people who want to garden) is Portland Yardsharing at http://www.yardsharing.org. It just got started last fall but is a great, grassroots way to make better use of our resources!
Mar 09, 2009
A Portland-based site for finding garden space or gardeners for your land is Portland Yardshare at http://www.yardsharing.org. It was just set up last fall but is a cool, grassroots way to connect.
Mar 10, 2009
If anyone knows of such a program in San Francisco, please write to me and let me know! I am luz.luciente@gmail.com, thanks!
Mar 11, 2009
Hey Sho, I’m totally willing to share the technology for Salt Spring. Got an email to Michael Abelman and he thought it was a cool idea. email me: info@urbangardenshare.org
Mar 13, 2009
any connections for Mtl. Que.???
Mar 19, 2009
Hi Allan, Food Not Lawns used to have a chapter in Montreal, and you can still get in touch with them (www.foodnotlawns.net). I’m looking for these types of connections for Ottawa, Canada. Anyone?
Mar 31, 2009
Hey folks!
We’ve got a site called hyperlocavore.com which is a social network build around yardsharing groups. It’s free and ready to use no matter where you are.
It’s a good time to join becuase we are in the middle of our Let’s Get Growing Seed Share.
Happy Digging,
LizM
Twitter me: @hyperlocavore.com
blog: hyperlocavore blog
Nov 05, 2009
Hey Folks!
If you are looking but can’t find a yard sharing, produce exchange resource, please come by hyperlocavore.com – a global free yard sharing site. Anyone from anywhere can start up!
Happy Digging!
Nov 05, 2009
Ooops! I am sorry, I missed that I had come by before. My apologies!
Jan 11, 2010
Certainly got us thinking here are work, expect a few replies later.