Photos: Seminole Heights Community Gardens Turn 3

celebrated its with a potluck breakfast on Saturday, May 19.

“It was a great sociable breakfast,” said community garden member David Weeks.

But the scheduled was postponed “due to outstanding code issues that may dramatically affect the cost and feasibility of this simple water collecting ‘shade shed’,” Weeks said.

The community group plans to build a rainwater catchment shelter to shade the common area of the gardens and to catch rainwater to be funneled into rain barrels.

The group broke ground in April 2009 on a lot at 407 W. Violet St. donated by resident Linda Ketley. Since then, tomatoes, squash, herbs, lettuce, beans, and other foods have sprouted there, all organically grown.

The group is scouting for another location in Seminole Heights - preferably an alternative place with a parking lot - with the aim of locally growing a regular supply of food, without taking all the parking spots available in proximity of the current location.

“We don’t want to be a nuisance for the neighborhood,” Weeks said.

Weeks said that the garden has become an important and beneficial component of the Seminole Heights community.

Not only it functions as a networking hub for fellow gardeners — a place to share tips and find answers to seeding or cooking questions — but the garden also provides fresh and healthy foods to eat and enjoy, from herbs and beans to tomatoes and carrots.

“There is also an outreach aspect,” said Weeks. “People new to gardening can come in and learn about it.”

For more information about the Seminole Heights Community Gardens, visit shcgardenblog.com or shcg.org.

Pictures submitted by David Weeks.