Isles shows growth potential at Tucker St. garden
A cabbie pulled up next to me near the light at Five Points.
The roll down of his window matched my passenger side drop.
“Your left rear tire is wobbling. You should check the lug nuts, make sure your wheel’s not coming off,” he warned.
Pulled up and parked just beyond Henry J. Austin Medical Center. Rim looked damaged. Hmmm.
In that moment — looked up and eyed my son talking to Jim Simon, Isles deputy director of Community Planning. He also oversees urban agriculture, food-based education, and environmental education for children and adults.
In addition, Simon guides Isles’ Clean & Green vacant lot stabilization and improvement work along with other neighborhood arts and green infrastructure initiatives.
My son landed a job with Isles two years ago without any help from here. Months passed before Simon and other Isles’ employees learned of the connection.
So, on this Serendipity Saturday, an opportunity presented an impromptu meeting with Simon, son and Khaled Islam, a Hamilton Twp. resident taking advantage of an Isles’ gardeners outreach that jumpstarts the growing season.
Gardeners signed up with the program received free seeds, plants, fertilizer and information about best practices for successful gardening dreams.
“I’ve been coming here for six or seven years. Gardening is such a pleasure for me,” Islam said, while shopping for ideal plants.
“I have a backyard garden and another garden on Chestnut Ave. It’s fun.”
Isles oversees the Chestnut Ave. identified as The Garden at Three Points, a site that usually signals the start of growing season with a plow pulled by oxen or horses on loan from Howell Living History Farm.
The Tucker St. garden blossoms in the shadow of the Battle Monument. Local gardeners have already staked out growing boxes and planted a variety of vegetables and herbs.
Tucker St. garden surrounded by works created by local artists, represents the growth potential of this capital city.
As Spring ends, we know how fast summer moves. Mark June 25 on your calendar.
as Isles’ Summer Garden Social offers an open invitation to the public for the 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. event at the Tucker St. Garden site. Note to people — it’s free. Healthy. You don’t need to cook!
Isles played the event up huge on its website.
“This is it…the garden party that you’ve been waiting for! Partake generously in food
& fun. Have a special dish to share? We love it when people bring dishes, especially when made with produce from their own gardens. Family and friends are always welcome. This is our most popular garden event of the season!
CONTACT ISLES: 609.341.4741| UrbanAg@isles.org.