When the property that became Acorn Center was purchased in 2000, the front yard consisted of scabby lawn and a perimeter flower bed that hadn't been tended in years. It's amazing what a little water and love will do. With help the first year from our friend Tyler Jones, we tore out the grass and piled up the dirt and planted tomatoes, cukes and zucchini - bullet-proof veggies. We had a bumper crop. The next year we built raised beds, hauled in fertile mix, and put out an invitation to neighbors. We wanted the garden to be part of the community life of the neighborhood.
The result? If you build it, they will plant. Over the years, Acorn Gardens has become a popular place for both residents of the Acorn duplexes and other Division Street neighbors to get their hands dirty by raising their own produce and flowers. We provide water and maintain the perimeter beds, and residents grow what they want in one of 10 boxes. I come by with the weedwacker every few weeks, and top up the boxes each year with fresh compost. We've had plenty of volunteer help with the heavy lifting from men at Calvin Presbyterian and Iglesia Emanuel churches. Our neighbor Lee Rockey volunteered to repaint all the fences around the garden this summer.
One of the special pleasures I've had in my time at the garden is chatting with folks who walk by on the sidewalk. I've learned that nearly everyone over the age of 60 has an opinion on how to best grow tomatoes. There's a retirement home down the street, and the ladies I've met love to peer over the fence to see what's growing. Even those who don't actually garden take pleasure in what others are doing. Most have never seen a tomatillo.
One last thought: I was surprised by what grew up when I started watering the perimeter beds: apple trees and lilacs! Plants that I didn't even know were there grew back from root stock once they got a little TLC. What a great metaphor for what we are doing at Acorn. Never write off those who appear to be dead to truth and beauty. A little kindness just might bring them back to real life.
Peter
