Community Gardens Blossom With Warmer Weather

Not since the days of the Victory Gardens during World War II have people throughout the country embraced gardening as enthusiastically as they have in the last few years. Northbrook residents are no exception, and community gardens have been popping up and flourishing all across town--many of which donate produce to those in need.

The Northbrook Community Garden (NCG) was formed in May 2009 at the recommendation of the Environmental Quality Commission to develop a network of residents who wanted to grow edible food for themselves and for donation to charity. 

The NCG, an Illinois not-for-profit corporation with a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, was leased property adjacent to the Village Hall for its first garden. Members were requested to donate a portion of their harvest to charity and volunteer in the upkeep of several plots designated for charity donations.

Last year, nearly 500 pounds of fresh produce was delivered to the Northfield Township Food Pantry.

A relative newcomer

A second site, the Crestwood Garden, was established in 2010. The NCG is planning improvements to the garden, including a handicapped accessible “enabling garden” inspired by the Buehler Enabling Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

To that end, the NCG is actively seeking grant funding. Although the completed project may take a few years, the first phase of construction is scheduled for this year.

All donations to the NCG are tax deductible, as the organization seeks equipment and supplies to construct and maintain the gardens. Roughly 45 gardeners tend to the 33 plots comprising the two gardens.

There is currently a waiting list for plots, whose numbers will grow with the expansion of the Crestwood Garden in 2012.

For more information, residents can send an e-mail to garden coordinator Brian Bruce at brianbrucesr@sbcglobal.net.

An idea gets Kraft-ed

The garden was started with a grant and some help from Kraft Foods. The 26 plots are worked by church members and local residents.

While there is no fee to garden, the church asks that part of what is grown be donated to the Northfield Township Food Pantry.

Monetary donations are always welcome for fuel and maintenance of the tractor, mowers and chipper. The group also seeks any garden tools.

This year, the garden plans to turn one plot into a shared herb garden and hopes to encourage gardeners to swap tips on successes and flops.

For more information, potential participants should contact the church office at 847-272-2246.

The seed for 'Garden of Feedin' '

The behind the Episcopal church at 3025 Walters Ave. planted its first seeds three years ago. The garden has been expanded from its original 12 plots and now offers 30 plots, according to gardener James Brooks. 

Members of this “Garden of Feedin” also donate part of their harvest to the Northfield Township Food Pantry. The garden is open to all and is now accepting reservations for plots. Since space is limited, participation will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information, interested individuals should e-mail rector@saint-giles.org

Retirees develop green thumbs

Last year, started a new raised bed garden with 27 plots for its residents. Although there was a communal gardening area available, the location was remote, not fenced in and the plots were at ground level.

“Someone--apparently not a gardener--had planted a tree in the middle of that location, and so the shade was increasing every year," said Ted Garrison, a resident of the retirement community.

"It was not a great spot,” he added.

Garrison was part of a group that instigated the building of a new garden in a triangular piece of property, which is more centrally located within Covenant Village.

Covenant Village agreed to pay for building supplies and Brickman Landscaping Co., which cares for the grounds, volunteered to build the raised beds for no charge.

Some of the beds are one foot high and some are two feet high, making them wheelchair accessible for residents living in Brandel, the skilled nursing facility there. Last November, a wheelchair ramp was installed leading into the garden.

About 32 people garden at the site, and the gardeners also donate produce to the Northfield Township Food Pantry.