There are lots of ways to garden, even if you think you don’t have the right space. Sometimes, your garden space can be off-site in a community garden.
I found out about one of my favorite community gardens in nearby Cobb County via my job with The Home Depot. Although my job title is copywriter, I’m really an editor, content creator and subject matter expert (SME). This means that I research, I write and, of course, take lots of plant pictures. My role is all gardening all the time, and part of that is knowing what’s growing and where to find the gardens.
One morning a couple years ago, a video producer stopped by my cubicle asking for suggestions for a location to film gardening videos. I quickly contacted my Master Gardener friends and by the end of the day, we planned filming for the Green Meadows Nature Preserve Community Garden in Cobb County. This was my first experience in this kind of garden setting.
Community Gardens
I think the best way to describe community gardens is a garden away from your home. At Green Meadows, gardeners rent 4′ by 8′ raised bed plots and they can grow flowers, herbs and vegetables there. The garden’s design enhances the feeling of community. The garden borders are full of pollinator-attracting plants like abelia and coneflower. There’s a compost system for a steady supply of organic compost. And there are picnic tables for the gardeners to rest and refresh.
At Green Meadows, the video team filmed in the hot, sticky August days and the garden was beautiful, filled with some of my favorites like sunflowers and zinnias. Gardeners planted their plots with tomatoes, peppers and squash, and a few unusual flowers for our climate, like plumeria. Thoughtfully, the MG’s in charge of the garden blocked off a writing spider’s web so that it wouldn’t get torn down by any wandering crew members.
What’s Growing at Green Meadows Garden
Now, when I’ms near this garden, I’ll usually drop in to see what’s growing. I’ll pull into the parking lot, walk around the fence, peer in the garden and check out the vegetables, fruits and flowers.
Here are a few shots from a late June walkabout at Green Meadows.
Learn more about the Green Meadows Community Garden and the Master Gardener program here. You can take a peek at my wall of succulents gardening project.
Let’s Talk About Gardening
Do you have a favorite community garden? Do you have a garden plot? The conversation for A Cook and Her Books is on Facebook and Instagram. I’d love to hear from you.
