Wendy Johnson is a star and our garden begins

What an unbelievable week it has been. First we had our dig on the weekend and it was tremendous. Many of the children were present and digging side by side with their parents and teachers. Luckily everyone was willing to dig using their backs instead of machines so it was a beautiful community effort. Though I think the crabgrass is not through with us yet. Speaking of community we had several people from the neighborhood stop by to see what the fuss was about and were excited to hear about the project. We have 18 plots ready for cover crop and some lettuce plants if we can get them. Next up we will meet and review the best composting method and name the garden.

Now, to Wendy Johnson. We had a delicious luncheon outside of CCS near the garden with Wendy to discuss her involvement with Alice Waters' Edible Schoolyard, The Green Gulch Garden, Prince Charles and her new must have book Gardening At the Dragon's Gate.
It was a gorgeous potluck provided by the director, parents and board members of the school including some people just enthusiastic to hear Wendy.

As much as I enjoyed meeting Helen Thayer when I hosted her at Joseph-Beth, I have a new love with Wendy Johnson. These powerful women are reminders that the earth is a strong teacher and we are certainly a part of it. Wendy loved the site and was very clear on how we need to get moving on this. She gave us a much needed boost with reassurance and blasted through any ideas of anything needing to be just so. She is a fierce teacher and has taken her sitting meditation beyond the walls of a center and placed it firmly into the soil of the earth. This is what sustains us. So with all this flourish, let me remind you that we are feeding people. It is simple and we are moving forward. Say your prayers or mantras or polished manifestos over the earth because there are no walls in the garden.

Jamie

The dig is on!

So we are back in business! The dig is on for this weekend and we are going to knock this thing out thanks to a very generous donation of compost from the Picarsic family! They will also build us a compost bin so we will have our very own steady supply of gardening gold. We'll lay out the habitat garden near the plots and consult for the best native plantings suited for the soil there. This garden is going to be gorgeous and full of life.
We're beginning our Phase 2 design for the Potager style garden entry where we will proudly hang the garden name once the children and parents have voted. And people, I am still contemplating a big idea. I'm a bit of a sculpture enthusiast and I love sparking the imagination. Wait and see. Give me a little space and some supplies and you might wake up next to something big.

Jamie

Hurricane Hannah and our modest CCS Garden Project

Yes, we have youthful football players on cue, eager parents and teachers, even master bookseller Nathan Spoon from Joseph-Beth Booksellers (my tremendous husband) ready to help dig dirt at CCS. Removing sod and fire ants may seem like a thankless task, but it is the first step to garden bliss for our modest garden project. I patted myself on the back when we had cleverly put our work day out there for all to see after the floods and Hurricane Hugo. How in tune we were. But then who should be waiting in the wings but Hurricane Hannah.
When I asked for compost I did not take into consideration the spotty history Charlotte may have with hurricanes. I was feeling a bit invincible with my move from Nashville where tornadoes randomly touch down to put things back into perspective. It's ok. It may work out. If the ground breaking does not happen this weekend we will have more time to draw and plan and dream.

Cheers!
Jamie