Hello, everyone! Let’s do things a little different this week. I normally talk about the four conditions of sustainability from the Natural Step, but this week I’m inviting everyone into my world. Before I talk about this week, why it’s been fun, and Tour De Unity, I have to describe a normal day. I work Monday- Thursday at the huge pick for free garden at LaSalle Square. I start at 9:30/10am. I’m usually either mulching paths, filling raised beds with dirt, weeding, planting vegetable plants, or contacting other gardens to see if/what they may need. One week however, was all out promoting and getting ready for Unity Gardens Annual Tour De Unity Bike Ride which was June 17th.
The bike ride started out at the Food Bank of Northern Indiana and then it offers bike riders a beautiful chance to get out and experiences all of the beauties that South Bend has to offer. Besides that, riders get a chance to visit over 13 different Unity Gardens with refreshments along the way. After a great exercise ride, the participant will go back to the food bank for a bar-b-que session. One of my jobs has been to promote this event. Guess what???? Even though, you’ve missed the event this year, I’ve sold you on the event in the future! Besides working on promotion, I’ve been painting with little kids at the LaSalle Square Garden. We have been busy painting a huge rest area that Mitch constructed for the bike riders to rest on when they reached the garden.
I encourage all to give Unity Gardens a try. If you missed Tour De Unity it’s ok, don’t worry, we have several events coming up in the future. If those activities seem to be to far away, don’t fret! Every Saturday at Unity Gardens, Sara offers Jr. Master Gardener class from 10 am to 12 pm for children. They learn everything about gardening, they try new food, they get to meet the bees, and, most importantly, it’s free and family oriented. If you don’t have children, don’t fret; we have something on Saturdays for you too! We offer our Garden to Market Education Area from 9am to 1pm. What is a Garden to Market Education Area, Reggie-you’ve never told us about that? Oh, I’m sorry! This is Sara’s baby. This is where she teaches adults who want to garden but many not have the know-how or the area in the ways of sustainable gardening. Mitch takes his time to construct the raised beds, Unity Gardens provides the plants/vegetables that the patrons want, Sara gives the knowledge, know-how, and/or the education, Reggie mulches in between the beds, and the patrons walk away educated, full, and wiser. When I write that “We’re Growing More than Vegetables Here!” It’s because we are actually growing more than vegetables. We’re growing a strong, stable, productive community! Carpe Diem.
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