On May 26, 2010, a dedication of the newly expanded Little Sugar Creek Greenway Community Garden will take place. This event is the last of seven national gardening program events held between March and May in 2010, by Scotts Miracle-Gro “Give Back to Gro.”
Little Sugar Creek Greenway Community Garden is being recognized for its expansion of garden plots where local gardeners can grow organic food. Located at 1321 Alexander Street, in Charlotte, North Carolina, the event starts at 4:30 p.m. Visitors to the event will find hands-on tutorials and schedules for upcoming programs on gardening techniques including composting guidelines.
Garden Professionals Support Growing Fresh Food
The nationwide expansion of community gardens and the celebration events meant to promote awareness of growing fresh food in neighborhood gardens has been made possible by garden professionals working together. Support for funding and promotion of "Give Back to Gro" programs comes from Garden Writers Association, Plant a Row for the Hungry, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Keep America Beautiful, the National Gardening Association and Franklin Park Conservatory.
As Bill Dawson, Growing to Green Program Coordinator at Franklin Park Conservatory, put it to this Suite101 garden writer, “The Franklin Park Conservatory and its Growing to Green community gardening program are proud to be in partnership with Scotts Miracle-Gro “Give Back to Gro” national gardening program. The Little Sugar Creek Garden in Charlotte will complement existing garden plots at the site through rejuvenation and expansion. The garden provides fresh, organically grown food and serves as a teaching facility where citizens can learn the benefits of earth-friendly compost gardening. We are pleased to be able to work with such great partners to help spread the word about community gardening and enable folks in their neighborhoods to grow fresh and nutritious fruits and vegetables for themselves and the needy.”
Local funding, in part, is provided by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department and the Compost and Organic Waste Reduction program, part of the Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Department.
Growing Fresh Organic Food in Belmont
The Little Sugar Creek Greenway Community Garden, in the Belmont area, is open to anyone interested in growing organic fresh food. It is a teaching facility that makes it possible to learn about earth friendly compost gardening near downtown Charlotte.
The fresh food grown at the community garden is free to the general public. “We believe in feeding the hungry but we don’t put a face on the hungry,” said Nadine Ford, Senior Environmental Specialist with LUESA Organic Waste Reduction Program of Mecklenburg County. Little Sugar Creek Community Garden aims to be a communal food share group that grows food without using pesticides and other chemicals.
As the growing season comes to an end, many gardeners find their garden’s supply of fresh bounty beyond their family and friend’s needs. Gardeners wishing to donate their extra harvests to feed the hungry will find information on where to take fresh food useful.
Permission received for all photos used in this article.
Chris Eirschele - Chris writes on plants grown and gardens explored; she is a member of the Garden Writers Association.
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