INTRODUCTION
St. Anne’s dream of creating an organic community garden became reality on Saturday, April 18, 2009. Over the course of seven hours that day, 32 friends, neighbors and members of St. Anne’s gathered on the “island in front of the church” and contributed time, talent and moral support to help us build and plant two raised garden beds and plant four in-ground bed (that had already been tilled and prepped) with nearly 40 varieties of vegetables and herbs. Our workers, who ranged in age from four to 74, included a master gardener, grandparents and grandchildren, neighbors, university students and members of St. Anne’s.
BEGINNINGS
Work on the community garden began early in the year when soil samples were sent out for analysis, the results of which confirmed that our soil was damaged and “nutrient-less.”
The $500 grant from EPF was used as “seed” money to
· nurture our damaged ground with nutrient-rich mulch, compost and soil;
· purchase materials to construct our raised garden beds;
· buy seeds and seedlings for the garden.
DESIGN
· The four in-ground beds were laid out in a cross formation, later reinforced by brick walking paths that run down the center of each bed.
· Master Gardener, Michael Rahman, helped us develop a plan for building two raised bed gardens.
INVITING THE NEIGHBORS
· Flyers were distributed to all neighbors up and down Fairlawn Drive inviting them to an organizational meeting in the Parish Hall.
· An organizational meeting, which included neighbors, parishioners, and university students, was held to solicit wisdom and advice as to what we should grow and the techniques we should use.
· Square-foot and lasagne gardening were selected as the preferred growing methods.
· The first workday of April 18th was scheduled. Signs were put up in the neighborhood advertising the day.
· A university student, with guidance from her professor, designed a beautiful garden logo.
BLESSING OF THE GARDEN
· Approximately two weeks after the garden was planted, we had a blessing ceremony (using a garden hose).
THE GROWING SEASON
· From April into October, volunteers from the parish and the neighborhood helped water, weed and nurture our garden, as well as share stories — and produce.
· We enjoyed getting to know our neighbors better over the summer months as we came together to maintain our garden in a spirit of peace and mutual understanding.
· Since the vision of the garden first emerged, over 50 people have helped our garden grow from dream to reality.
With grateful hearts, we thank Episcopal Peace Fellowship for their support and vision.
In peace,
Martha Murphy, Coordinator, St. Anne’s Community Peace Garden
Linda Winikoff, Convener, St. Anne’s EPF Chapter
St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, Winston-Salem, NC
SAMPLE FLYERS AND BLESSING CEREMONY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL TO: winikoffs@aol.com
