community gardens

**b*@gvillesun.com**

From Marina in Gainesville:

There are two community gardens on the University of Florida campus (and
one proposed for our community college campus) and the plots are always
filled, with a waiting list. The one I belong to (since 1982) is an organic
garden cooperative with about 200 members from college age up to our
patrarch, who is 94. The diversity of the members is nothing short of
mind-boggling, with many countries represented, including Germany and
France, as well as a large Asian contingent.  UF draws from all over the
world; you do not need to be connected to UF to be a member.
 What this diversity translates into what is grown is astounding and our
semi-annual potlucks never fail to introduce new (and sometimes strange)
vegetables. The university graciously mows the field where we've planted an
assemblage of fruit trees (not a single one a citrus!) but we maintain the
rest of the acreage. Plots are 10 by 15, roughly, and nearly everyone has
more than one. Seeds, transplants and tools  are provided if you don't have
your own. Water is at every plot. Horse manure from UF stables arrives
every month.
 It would come to no surprise that this produce is  sustaining many of
these students — some with families — who don't really have that much
money. A $15 semi-annual plot fee is a small price to pay for the hundreds
of dollars of food you can grow.  We also donate bushels of vegetables to
charities. I hope to initiate a Plant a Row campaign this spring.
 For me, it's a chance to have as many snow peas as I want (they never make
it all the way home) and  grape tomatoes that cost $3.20 a pint at the
store. I need to cut down on the number of eggplants, though . . . .two
will be plenty.
Marina
The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun/Gainesville Voice
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