I may be a bit delayed in sharing with you the the events that took place a couple weeks ago as Suwanee celebrated the opening of one more fabulous City park - White Street Park; but the excitement still lingers.
Unlike any other of its kind in the area, this is a community garden. Many of us came together back in April where we drilled holes in the pre-cut wood - which would become our garden boxes, assembled the planting boxes, dug holes in the dirt, set the planting boxes in the holes, spread rock, filled the boxes with quality planting soil. And when the labor of love was complete, the excitement rose to a whole new level as we began planting our flowers and vegetables.
In total construction of the community garden's 76 initial plots required:
- more than 500 volunteer hours
- 3.5 days
- 2,940 linear feet of lumber
- 912 bolts
- 36 tons of slate chips
- 3 tandem loads of soil
You see White Street Park is an organic community garden and Georgia's largest organic community garden. There are approximately 76 garden plots and the premise is based on square foot gardening. You may be asking yourself what is square foot gardening and I must admit I had not a clue until I became involved. It is quite simple actually. Essentially you divide your planting area up into 12 inch plots and within each square you plant either flowers or vegetables. It has been quite a rewarding experience I must admit. And probably some of the most fun comes from visiting the garden throughout the week to see what is growing but also to see what new creative garden decor someone has added to their plot.
As the Grand Opening was upon us many of the plots were in full bloom and the plants were majestic! The day's event included walking through the newly created butterfly garden, face painting for young and old alike, kids making lady bugs from crafts, cook out and so much more.
Finishing touches continue at White Street Park. We anxiously await the arrival of our resident chicks. Our hen house will be cared for by the gardners on a weekly rotation. Eggs laid during "your watch" will be yours to take home and enjoy with your family. I understand there was a contest in naming the chicks during the Grand Opening but I haven't heard the results.
As much fun as this has been and I feel certain it will continue to be, as gardners at the White Street Park, we will have the honor of sharing our produce with the local food bank as part of our giving back to the City of Suwanee and the residents of Suwanee.
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