The planning and hard work of residents, board members and volunteers are now evident in the edible landscaping growing all around Hub City Village. The bare dirt is now covered with green grass, fruit trees and shrubs and vegetables. Timing was not optimal for planting trees during the hottest days of 2014, but that was when it had to be done. Many people worked long hours in hot weather to plant trees, then drag hoses back and forth to keep them watered. Amazingly, only one tree, a cherry, had to be replaced. Now there are 12 blueberry bushes (early, mid-season and late varieties), two pear trees, three apple trees, two cherry trees, a fig tree, one plum tree, one peach tree, six grape vines (two each of red, green and purple varieties), two current and two gooseberry bushes. For native plants, one serviceberry and 12 huckleberries will serve to feed both humans and birds. A grant of $3500 from Linn County Public Health paid for the final planting of fruit trees and establishing a community garden.
A donated greenhouse was much appreciated by several residents who have been learning how to get a jump on the growing season. Spending time working with plants in the greenhouse during the dark days of winter was a definite spirit lifter, according to Shannon, lead resident gardener. Many vegetables and flowers were successfully started in the colder weather and the gardeners are confident that they can do even better next year. Each resident was offered a tomato plant and/or a flower for a pot by their house. Many residents have in fact adopted quite a few pots and barrels of plants to care for next to their houses. One resident said the ground is too clayey to work easily but pots do very well. He was happy to show me two large barrels filled with cheerful flowers.
The community garden is in the back of the property. Eight raised beds of 3’ x 10’ made by board member Dr. Gary Goby from galvanized steel guardrail salvaged from highway projects. They were filled with a mix of garden soil and compost. The beds are now cooperatively managed to grow a variety of vegetables. Recently a drip system for irrigation was installed by Jamie Kitzrow, a local organic grower, who generously donated the materials and his time. He also donated many vegetable plants to the project. The blueberries, grapes, strawberries and some of the fruit trees are also in the garden area.
Most residents are bringing their food scraps to the composting area, which consists of three bins made from cinder blocks in the garden. Shannon turns and mixes it with dry matter regularly. The first batch of compost will be ready for use soon. Shannon loves the garden and often sits there in the morning with a cup of coffee to practice observation, one of the primary rules of permaculture. Strawberries will be ready for harvesting soon, followed by lettuce and other crops. The gardeners are planning to use the fruits and vegetables for fresh eating and preserving to improve and vary the diets of the residents.