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Community gardens growing like weeds

McPherson Town neighbors clear a lot of debris on West McPherson Street in the Dayton historic district on Saturday, April 2, for a community garden.

Chris Stewart/Staff photo McPherson Town neighbors clear a lot of debris on West McPherson Street in the Dayton historic district on Saturday, April 2, for a community garden.

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By Anthony Gottschlich, Staff Writer Updated 11:11 PM Friday, May 8, 2009

DAYTON — In a vacant lot in McPherson Town, Aimee Noel and her neighbors cultivate the earth with visions of deep red tomatoes, green leafy lettuce and fresh brussels sprouts in their heads.

They spend hours each afternoon, weather permitting, transforming this rocky soil to fertile ground, planting seeds for food and friendship in a garden they hope will nourish this neighborhood for years to come.

“It’s just been really fantastic,” Noel said as she planted beans in her 9-by-12 plot, one of 24 in this lot along McPherson Street near downtown. “I’ve met people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. It’s kind of a gathering place now.”

The McPherson garden is just the latest among a growing number of community gardens to sprout up in the Dayton area under the Grow With Your Neighbors program of Fiver Rivers MetroParks.

“This has been the busiest year as long as most folks here can remember,” program manager Luci Beachdell said. “I had maybe three new groups last year and probably twice that many this year.”

While some neighborhoods, such as McPherson, garden for the love of it, Beachdell said the economy is the driving factor for others.

“People know they can save money by growing their own food instead of buying it, and it will taste better, too,” she said.

Established in 1986, Grow With Your Neighbors includes more than two dozen (mostly vegetable) gardens in Montgomery County, the majority of those in Dayton. Depending on a neighborhood’s needs, Five Rivers will help find a suitable location, test the soil for heavy metals, till the land, provide seeds and offer numerous tips and resources for successful gardening.

Noel said when she and neighbor Debbie Leibrock raised the garden idea to neighbors earlier this year, they got an “enthusiastic” response. Around 30 neighbors jumped in, including David Dominic, who offered the lot next door to his house and a water spigot, too.

The neighbors plan to share their bounty, and they’ll throw a harvest party at the end of the season.

“I would love for this to continue,” Noel said.

Want to start a garden?

For groups looking to start a community garden, Five Rivers will help. Some things to keep in mind:

• Decide on the size and scope of your garden ahead of time. Flowers, vegetables, a mixture of both?

• Is there a readily accessible water source? Work out a deal with a neighbor, if possible.

• Are you and your neighbors prepared to do the work and stick with it? Those who don’t won’t get help from Five Rivers.

• Consider liability insurance or at least a “hold harmless” waiver in case someone gets injured on the property.

• Minor theft. It’s not unusual for the unlawful sort to pluck the fruits of your labor.

For more information, contact Luci Beachdell at (937) 276-7053 or visit metroparks.org/gwyn

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