Who knew that food is one of the most important components to successful design of public spaces? Last night, Natalie, Shannon and I, along with other interested Richmond citizens and civic leaders, gathered last night to hear Lynden Miller speak about the importance of beauty in public spaces. Miller has been behind much of the great transformation of New York city parks, including the restoration of the venerable Conservatory garden in Central Park, the Perennial Garden and Ladies Border at the NY Botanical Garden, The Gardens at Bryan Park and the campus of Columbia University along with many others. Amazing transformations- noble work indeed.
So, back to food. Miller says that there are three ingredients to designing a public space that will be used and enjoyed by people. One is an element of nature- trees and plants are not just beautiful, they help us breathe, physically and emotionally. Another interesting aspect of spaces that attract people is movable chairs. Giving people the freedom to eat alone or linger with a group of friends also gives the space the malleability to fit its constituents. And, finally- the essential component to all gatherings- the food. Successful design incorporates good food for people to enjoy while they take pleasure in the space.
Of course, the statistic for crime reduction, business productivity and general generosity in beautiful public spaces are staggering. Yet, my favorite phrase from Lynden Miller's gorgeous presentation on the importance of beauty in public spaces was, "We did this for you, and you are worth it."
So, Richmond... Aren't we worth it? Shouldn't we get to work?
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Urban Gardening -- A Great Way to Meet Your Neighbors!
Erin and I have decided to make our first foray into urban gardening.
With our shady Northside lot, a backyard garden is not really an option. However, one of the unique qualities of this neighborhood is that several of the people who live here maintain gardens in the 16 foot median we have in the middle of our street. Some people have nice ornamental displays; there is at least one with a small vegetable garden. I got it into my head that it would be fun to do the same thing, since I've been dying for my own garden since who knows when. And of course, growing your own vegetables is the next step up from buying at the farmer's market or joining a CSA.
I've been picking up seedlings from all over the place this past week, and I finally got official approval yesterday from the City of Richmond to dig a vegetable bed in the median directly across from the house. The median is city property so I made sure to ask before revving up the tiller. In this post I'd like to tell you about how I made this garden, in hopes that I'll inspire you to make your own urban plot. Please keep in mind that I am no expert -- this is my first vegetable garden, ever! I plan to blog all about this garden as the season progresses, hopefully with pictures of luscious vegetables and pesto creations as I harvest the fruits (and vegetables) of my labor.
I started out with a shovel, a tiller, a pile of pots full of nice, black compost, and a pair of gardening gloves. I marked off the area I wanted dug for my bed, allowing enough room for a ride-on lawn mower to pass on either side. My contact at the City asked that I leave at least 65 inches.
My dad was kind enough to lend me his tiller. This is a really nice model for small-scale use, easy to operate and pretty effective. I used it to break up the grass and loosen up the soil in the bed. I was happy to discover that the median was not full of clay -- I wonder if the city hauled soil in when the median was created, because I found it fairly easy to dig. After I was finished doing the initial till, I went back over the bed with a shovel and dug about a foot down, further turning the soil over. Then I added all the compost and mixed it in with the soil using the hoe. This process took most of my afternoon.
Then came the fun part -- planting. Tomatoes are clustered on one side (closest to the camera); the other side has a metal structure for three bush bean plants to climb on. I also have peppers, basil, lettuce, kabocha squash, eggplant, cucumbers, butternut squash, sunflowers and a giant pumpkin. I planted the lettuce and basil in a kind of 'border' on the right side of the bed (closest to the house) because they will be easy to access as I walk out to the bed. I am also anticipating removing the lettuce plants before the tomatoes become enormous. Most of the vine plants are in the middle of the bed, where I hope they will have room to grow. The sunflowers will provide a backdrop to the metal pillar, hopefully growing up above the giant pumpkin vine, which I have planted on the far side of the bed.
I am positive that there are too many plants in this bed. I don't care! I was really excited about all the seedlings I had accumulated, and since this is my first garden, I'm just going to let everything grow and see how it turns out. Not the most scientific attitude ever -- but I am doing a big experiment.
Here is everything all planted (except for that one pepper in the middle -- I put that one in after I took the picture)! I'm looking forward to working in this garden all season. I'll be watering it with a long hose from the side of the house, and I hope to mulch with compost sometime soon.
So why is urban gardening a great way to meet your neighbors? Because I met three new people this afternoon, all really nice individuals who were eager to chat with me about what I was doing, and their own plans for backyard horticultural improvements. Our next-door neighbor was kind enough to let us use his hose, since we don't have one long enough yet to stretch across the street. It was clear that everyone I talked to was eager to support my urban gardening effort. A neighbor across the street even invited us to a party. I think one of the most interesting and fun aspects of gardening is its reliance on communities of friendly, generous individuals. It is clear there is a huge opening in the public mindset for these kinds of endeavors.
As evening descended, Erin and I walked out to the garden barefoot for one last look before dark. The plants looked happy in the cool air, full of potential, green and alive. I can see the garden from my bedroom window, and when I'm not out pulling weeds and watering, I plan to watch as my tomatoes ripen and my beans wind their way up towards the sky. Gardening can be spiritual and full of joy -- I highly recommend it!
With our shady Northside lot, a backyard garden is not really an option. However, one of the unique qualities of this neighborhood is that several of the people who live here maintain gardens in the 16 foot median we have in the middle of our street. Some people have nice ornamental displays; there is at least one with a small vegetable garden. I got it into my head that it would be fun to do the same thing, since I've been dying for my own garden since who knows when. And of course, growing your own vegetables is the next step up from buying at the farmer's market or joining a CSA.
I've been picking up seedlings from all over the place this past week, and I finally got official approval yesterday from the City of Richmond to dig a vegetable bed in the median directly across from the house. The median is city property so I made sure to ask before revving up the tiller. In this post I'd like to tell you about how I made this garden, in hopes that I'll inspire you to make your own urban plot. Please keep in mind that I am no expert -- this is my first vegetable garden, ever! I plan to blog all about this garden as the season progresses, hopefully with pictures of luscious vegetables and pesto creations as I harvest the fruits (and vegetables) of my labor.
I started out with a shovel, a tiller, a pile of pots full of nice, black compost, and a pair of gardening gloves. I marked off the area I wanted dug for my bed, allowing enough room for a ride-on lawn mower to pass on either side. My contact at the City asked that I leave at least 65 inches.
My dad was kind enough to lend me his tiller. This is a really nice model for small-scale use, easy to operate and pretty effective. I used it to break up the grass and loosen up the soil in the bed. I was happy to discover that the median was not full of clay -- I wonder if the city hauled soil in when the median was created, because I found it fairly easy to dig. After I was finished doing the initial till, I went back over the bed with a shovel and dug about a foot down, further turning the soil over. Then I added all the compost and mixed it in with the soil using the hoe. This process took most of my afternoon.
Then came the fun part -- planting. Tomatoes are clustered on one side (closest to the camera); the other side has a metal structure for three bush bean plants to climb on. I also have peppers, basil, lettuce, kabocha squash, eggplant, cucumbers, butternut squash, sunflowers and a giant pumpkin. I planted the lettuce and basil in a kind of 'border' on the right side of the bed (closest to the house) because they will be easy to access as I walk out to the bed. I am also anticipating removing the lettuce plants before the tomatoes become enormous. Most of the vine plants are in the middle of the bed, where I hope they will have room to grow. The sunflowers will provide a backdrop to the metal pillar, hopefully growing up above the giant pumpkin vine, which I have planted on the far side of the bed.
I am positive that there are too many plants in this bed. I don't care! I was really excited about all the seedlings I had accumulated, and since this is my first garden, I'm just going to let everything grow and see how it turns out. Not the most scientific attitude ever -- but I am doing a big experiment.
Here is everything all planted (except for that one pepper in the middle -- I put that one in after I took the picture)! I'm looking forward to working in this garden all season. I'll be watering it with a long hose from the side of the house, and I hope to mulch with compost sometime soon.
So why is urban gardening a great way to meet your neighbors? Because I met three new people this afternoon, all really nice individuals who were eager to chat with me about what I was doing, and their own plans for backyard horticultural improvements. Our next-door neighbor was kind enough to let us use his hose, since we don't have one long enough yet to stretch across the street. It was clear that everyone I talked to was eager to support my urban gardening effort. A neighbor across the street even invited us to a party. I think one of the most interesting and fun aspects of gardening is its reliance on communities of friendly, generous individuals. It is clear there is a huge opening in the public mindset for these kinds of endeavors.
As evening descended, Erin and I walked out to the garden barefoot for one last look before dark. The plants looked happy in the cool air, full of potential, green and alive. I can see the garden from my bedroom window, and when I'm not out pulling weeds and watering, I plan to watch as my tomatoes ripen and my beans wind their way up towards the sky. Gardening can be spiritual and full of joy -- I highly recommend it!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Reader Recommendations
Reader Lea Marshall was kind enough to e-mail us a link to her list of resources for meat and dairy in Virginia. I was happy to see Brookview Farm listed as a source for beef! Lea also hinted that Everona Dairy is really worth a visit: she says, "My friend and I broke the bank stocking up on their cheese." The Dairy produces a variety of sheep's milk cheeses, freezer lamb, tanned sheepskins and wool socks. The cheeses are the specialty, and the best is supposedly the 'Everona Piedmont:' it won the Farmhouse category for sheep's milk cheese at the American Cheese Society's annual competition in 2005, and has a 'nutty flavor, even flowery, with a slight tang and earthy aftertaste characteristic of good sheep's milk cheese.' It also sounds like there are several vineyards in the area, so a trip out to the Piedmont would definitely be worth your while!
Once again, thanks for the recommendation, Lea! We are always looking for local food resources beyond the immediate Richmond area. I think Virginia has an amazing collection of hidden food (and wine) gems scattered throughout its rural areas. Do any other readers suggest visits to particular farms, dairies, shops or wineries? We'd love to know!
Once again, thanks for the recommendation, Lea! We are always looking for local food resources beyond the immediate Richmond area. I think Virginia has an amazing collection of hidden food (and wine) gems scattered throughout its rural areas. Do any other readers suggest visits to particular farms, dairies, shops or wineries? We'd love to know!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Video Showing: The True Cost of Food
Thanks to Buttermilk & Molasses for the tip-off on this event: the Goochland Center for Rural Culture will show the Sierra Club's 15 minute video called 'The True Cost of Food' on Monday, May 12 at 11AM. It will be held at the Parish House of Grace Church, 2955 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23093. More info can be found in the original post here. Be sure to check out the homepage for the Center for Rural Culture as well -- they are a good resource for local eating and sustainability, and the site has more info about the Goochland farmers market.
Two Local Markets: Opening Day Experience
WOW!!
Yesterday morning was all about the two new Richmond area Farmers Markets. Both South side and Northside were representing and I had to check out the scene both had to offer.
First, my husband and I got up bright and early, had some coffee, and cruised on down to my local South of the James Market at Forest Hill Park. Everything was perfect. Props to Karen and Erin and James and all of the vendors and other people who worked so hard behind the scenes to put this market together.
The site is perfect for a market, with the calm park setting, but tons of parking and wide open space for all of the vendors. There were more vendors than I bothered to count... and at only 8:30 we estimated maybe 250 people were already there shopping, chatting, catching up with neighbors and old friends, munching on fresh baguettes or sweet rolls and sipping fresh brewed coffee. Even with all those people the market was comfortable, and easy to shop. Parking couldn't have been easier, but I really enjoyed seeing people from the surrounding neighborhoods having a nice morning walk to the market, sometimes with a dog in tow.
We saw lots of our favorite vendors from the Byrd House Market and plenty of new ones as well. I headed out with two bags full of organically produced veggie plants for my garden, fresh greens, and tasty steaks and sausages for my husband. And of course a giant sweet roll for us to share.
After all of that I didn't arrive at Lakeside Market until about 10:30. I was greeted by two friendly faces at the entrance and handed a free bright yellow mesh shopping bag displaying the Virgina grown and Lakeside Market logos. Some vendors were already sold out or selling out of produce. Everyone I spoke with was very excited about this great new shopping option and about the future of their new market. Although this market is smaller due to some restrictions, once I got up close I found plenty of wonderful things to choose from. Despite the array of vendors at South of the James my trip to Lakeside Market was well rewarded. Again I ran into some great people, and more to the point I found terrific plants and the fresh asparagus, spinach, and baby beets I had been looking for!
I know that this market has taken a huge amount of persistence and hard work over the last few years to put together... (This is as I understand it the very first Farmers Market in Henrico county! ) So if your on the North side of Town, please make sure to stop by Wednesdays and Saturdays and check it out. I think that you too will feel well rewarded.
Yesterday morning was all about the two new Richmond area Farmers Markets. Both South side and Northside were representing and I had to check out the scene both had to offer.
First, my husband and I got up bright and early, had some coffee, and cruised on down to my local South of the James Market at Forest Hill Park. Everything was perfect. Props to Karen and Erin and James and all of the vendors and other people who worked so hard behind the scenes to put this market together.
The site is perfect for a market, with the calm park setting, but tons of parking and wide open space for all of the vendors. There were more vendors than I bothered to count... and at only 8:30 we estimated maybe 250 people were already there shopping, chatting, catching up with neighbors and old friends, munching on fresh baguettes or sweet rolls and sipping fresh brewed coffee. Even with all those people the market was comfortable, and easy to shop. Parking couldn't have been easier, but I really enjoyed seeing people from the surrounding neighborhoods having a nice morning walk to the market, sometimes with a dog in tow.
We saw lots of our favorite vendors from the Byrd House Market and plenty of new ones as well. I headed out with two bags full of organically produced veggie plants for my garden, fresh greens, and tasty steaks and sausages for my husband. And of course a giant sweet roll for us to share.
After all of that I didn't arrive at Lakeside Market until about 10:30. I was greeted by two friendly faces at the entrance and handed a free bright yellow mesh shopping bag displaying the Virgina grown and Lakeside Market logos. Some vendors were already sold out or selling out of produce. Everyone I spoke with was very excited about this great new shopping option and about the future of their new market. Although this market is smaller due to some restrictions, once I got up close I found plenty of wonderful things to choose from. Despite the array of vendors at South of the James my trip to Lakeside Market was well rewarded. Again I ran into some great people, and more to the point I found terrific plants and the fresh asparagus, spinach, and baby beets I had been looking for!
I know that this market has taken a huge amount of persistence and hard work over the last few years to put together... (This is as I understand it the very first Farmers Market in Henrico county! ) So if your on the North side of Town, please make sure to stop by Wednesdays and Saturdays and check it out. I think that you too will feel well rewarded.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Mini Market to Kick Off Season TONIGHT!
Join the members of the market umbrella for a mini- market from 6-8 pm at First Fridays Art Walk. We will have several vendors set up behind Quirk Gallery, 311 West Broad Street, between Adams and Belvedere. See you tonight!
South of the James Market
I picked this up from the "Hills and Heights" blog for southside.
posted by Phil Licking at April 7, 2008 1:59 pm :
(passing along info received from David Hathcock in Kathy Graziano’s office)
SOUTH OF THE JAMES MARKET UPDATE: The numbers are in from Council Member Kathy’s Graziano’s poll, and the results are clear. People overwhelmingly want a farm market in our area. In response, it looks likely that we will have a farm market in operation this year. The South of the James market, as it will be called, will bring the same expertise and contacts that have made the Byrd House Farm market a success. The market is scheduled for Saturday mornings, from 8 to noon, and will start the first week in May. It will be located at the end of New Kent Avenue and 42nd Street, at Shelter 2 in Forest Hill Park. It looks like more than a dozen vendors of fresh, locally grown produce will be selling, including Amy Hicks from Amy’s Garden, and Carol the flower lady from the Byrd House and the Thursday 17th Street Market. In addition, some growers who participate in Community Supported Agriculture will use the market as a delivery point for community partners. The market is not associated with the city government. The vendor is renting space from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. The Market Manager is Karen Atkinson. She can be reached at 513-3100 or byrdhousemarketmanager@msn.com.Although it has not been announced, it is understood that Fourth District Council Member Kathy Graziano paid for the rental space with personal funds.
If that is true about Graziano , that is very cool news.
other info...
In addition to the vendors mentioned above Victory Farm, Faith Farm, and 7 Hills Market will all be at the South of the James Market.
Hope to see you there!!
posted by Phil Licking at April 7, 2008 1:59 pm :
(passing along info received from David Hathcock in Kathy Graziano’s office)
SOUTH OF THE JAMES MARKET UPDATE: The numbers are in from Council Member Kathy’s Graziano’s poll, and the results are clear. People overwhelmingly want a farm market in our area. In response, it looks likely that we will have a farm market in operation this year. The South of the James market, as it will be called, will bring the same expertise and contacts that have made the Byrd House Farm market a success. The market is scheduled for Saturday mornings, from 8 to noon, and will start the first week in May. It will be located at the end of New Kent Avenue and 42nd Street, at Shelter 2 in Forest Hill Park. It looks like more than a dozen vendors of fresh, locally grown produce will be selling, including Amy Hicks from Amy’s Garden, and Carol the flower lady from the Byrd House and the Thursday 17th Street Market. In addition, some growers who participate in Community Supported Agriculture will use the market as a delivery point for community partners. The market is not associated with the city government. The vendor is renting space from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. The Market Manager is Karen Atkinson. She can be reached at 513-3100 or byrdhousemarketmanager@msn.com.Although it has not been announced, it is understood that Fourth District Council Member Kathy Graziano paid for the rental space with personal funds.
If that is true about Graziano , that is very cool news.
other info...
In addition to the vendors mentioned above Victory Farm, Faith Farm, and 7 Hills Market will all be at the South of the James Market.
Hope to see you there!!
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