Late Bloomer

The Garden

The photo here is a picture of our current tools: a donated wagon and shovel.

Our garden is located in Lowell, Arkansas at the far Northwest corner of the state. The city of Lowell is quite small with a population of just over five-thousand residents.

Dandelion Gardens is an organic endeavor that is still in the beginning stage. I'm currently learning about permaculture and hope to apply some techniques of Bill Mollison, and while many of the crops we'll be growing will be annuals, I hope to incorporate many edible perennials that will contribute to the food supply.

Dandelion is located on a tiny piece of land (approx 2/3 acre), and the goal is to be able to produce enough food for four families throughout the year and serve as a local educational cooperative for low-income residents who would like to learn how to grow food.

Small, informal classes are currently in the planning stage and with a bit of luck (and a few helping hands) we'll be able to offer a couple of classes this spring (2009).

It's a simple beginning. Starting from scratch and borrowing, bartering and begging for tools, plants and seed is probably not the easiest way to go. It is labor intensive and a bit frustrating at times, but rewarding when something comes through.

I watched a video about one man who grows a large commercial garden in Longow, Austria using permaculture techniques and after seeing what he has accomplished I believe we can grow whatever we want given the right tools and resources, so if you are in the Lowell area, all garden donations are welcome. We can always use seed and young plants, tools, supplies, baskets, pots, recyclable plastic bags or containers.

Updates:
1/2/2009 - Happy New Year! So far we have more than 40 marigold sown (shooting for 200), several heirloom tomatoes, dill, globe artichokes, jalapeno peppers, bachelor buttons, blue flax, green beans and tidy tips. Next week I'll begin sowing all of the squash (including pumpkin), so we'll have a large patch for local kids to choose from in October.

Still hoping for different types of lettuce and greens, because we only have the Tom Thumb lettuce. I also have extra pumpkin seed to trade, so if you have something extra to trade shoot me an email.

1/09: There has been an addition to the sidebar of the LB Column page that lists donors to the garden. This is just a small appreciation for the help given to this project. If you are a donor, please shoot me an email and give your basic information: name, website (if you want it listed) and what you have donated. And thanks for helping.

2/09: DG will be moving soon. I'm not real sure about the new location, but as soon as possible I'll post it and all are welcome to visit. I'll also be applying for the 'Naturally Grown' certificate soon.

Email: [email protected]

As a member of the PAR program, part of our harvest will be going to local families in need of help, either through one of the local charities or by referral. If you know someone who could use the help please email with contact information. It will probably be April or May before Dandelion Gardens can supply anything besides free seeds to those wanting to participate.