Baltimore among Top 10 in urban gardens
The Daily Green, a consumer guide for all things green, included Baltimore among its Top 10 cities for urban gardening, upending the notion that only suburbanites have the room to grow their own food.
According to the Trust for Public Land, Baltimore is the cities with the most community gardens per capita. These gardens not only produce food, they bring neighbors together, involve young people, feed the hungry and, perhaps, help reduce crime.
Seattle was No. 1 on the list. Baltimore was No. 7. Also included were University of Maryland horticulture students who mentor community gardeners at 22 plots outside of Washington, D.C.
Photo credit: Joseu Lopez
The rest of the Top 10 include:
Anchorage, Louisville, Portland, Long Beach, St. Paul, Honolulu, San Jose.
The Baltimore Community Gardens Program, directed by the Baltimore City Master Gardeners, has, among other things:
- Helped 22 community gardens obtain water permits for using fire hydrants.
- Introduced gardening to 150 middle and high schools students.
- Completed a pilot study on the removal of lead from soil.
- Arranged tours and awards.
- Saved the city more than $137,800 in 2005 alone.
- Obtained free seeds.
- Helped repair equipment used by community gardeners.
Comments
Good Afternoon Ms. Reimer:
Thank you for featuring the great work of our University of Maryland Extension-Baltimore City Master Gardener volunteers. They assist in Extension's mission to expand resources and support to the citizens of this great city!
Posted by: Manami Brown, City Extension Director | March 20, 2010 3:27 PM