As we are now bundled up and hopefully resting from gardening work for the winter, we are sharing a recap and highlights for Vedgewater from the 8 months of gardening in 2023.
For all the volunteers, gardeners, and organizers - thank you for everything you did to help the garden grow, thrive, and give joy and sustenance to the community.
Households and Plots:
182 households gardening / plots rented out
17 of those plots provided for free or at sliding scale for charitable purposes
Group Gardening Involvement:
Edgewater Environmental Coalition
Broadway Armory Migrants
One Northside
Edgewater Mutual Aid Network
Misericordia
Garden Maintenance and Improvements:
Reduced rental cost by 25% from 2022
Repaired many beds
Put the garden “to bed” to maintain a tidy appearance in off-season
Added composting onsite and pickup services
Added two wheelchair-accessible beds
Added new signage, informational and educational
Donations and Contributions:
About 240 lbs of food donated to the Edgewater Mutual Aid Network weekly community food distribution from July through October
1 car load of harvest donated to Care for Real (local food pantry) in the final garden clean up in November
Community Engagement:
135 emails on volunteer mailing list
8 monthly volunteer work days
440 logged volunteer hours
Welcomed people staying at Broadway Armory to garden
Hosted Senn “Freshman Connection” Field Trip
Hosted Loyola freshman for “Saturday of Service”
Donated seed collected to Edgewater Library’s Little Free Seed Library
Events
How Does Your Garden Grow Workshop: Put Your Bed to Bed with Chicago Community Gardner's Association
Seed Workshop & Community Share Event
Garden Herb Walk
Wild Edible Picnic and Plant Walk
Plant and Seedling Swap
Gleaning and Harvest Party