The Hudson Valley has quite a few community gardens. Most are run by Earth To Table, a group dedicated to the slow food movement. Community gardens hold a special place in my heart as my boyfriend and I spent part of our first date walking to the one in New Paltz (although it was dark and we couldn't see much, especially not the dragon made of tires that was the excuse for the walk).
This summer, I finally got over my fear that anything I try to grow will die, and started my own vegetable garden! It was an excellent learning experience, if at times frustrating and upsetting. Once, some deer got through the fence and devastated my young tomato plants, but they mostly recovered. I recommend everyone tries to grow their own food, or at least visits a garden once in awhile. They're gorgeous!
The Red Hook community garden is on Route 9, just past Holy Cow if you're coming from Rhinebeck (I highly recommend their ice cream by the way!) and between two banks. The front has quite a few small bricked flower gardens, a shed for tools, and a place for composting.
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| and this cool wood thing too |
Inside the fence, there's a few raised beds full of tomatoes and different foods that are open to the community and are to be used for community events. The rest of the space is free for residents to stake out and do pretty much whatever you want with it. Just call Joseph Baldwin at (845)635-9388 so he knows who's working in the garden.
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| A birdhouse in my neighbor's garden |
That's really all I have for you, but I hope you liked the info and photographs! If you have any questions feel free to email me at amberhlynn@gmail.com or call Joseph Baldwin, and keep an eye out for Earth To Table at local events. Maybe you can even find or organize a community garden near you!
See you next time!
Amber
So beautiful!
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