Solstice Sweet Potato Patch
Red Flag over the Path Through the Valley to the Mountain Top Gate
The FNL Hands on Workshop was a great success. We transformed a 27’ x 27’ overgrown garden and part of the lawn into a sweet potato garden. We planted organic Beauregard and NG Japanese sweet potatoes from K State extension. In cooperation with Platte Prairie Farms In Your Yard CSA a Food Not Lawns Comuniversity class gained experience transforming a lawn to a productive garden.
Before the FNLie crew's creative efforts
The plot was cleared and then tilled with rows 36” on center. The space between the tilled beds was covered with 6 overlapping sheets of newspaper then 3”of mulch from KC MO Brush drop-off.
laying paper and mulch between sweet potato beds
The whole area was fertilized with organic chicken manure pellets to feed the soil micrograms, the key to fertile soil.
Participants’ really got into it completing the prep and planting in a little over an hour. We then walked up to the corner and visited another In Your Yard CSA Red Flag garden, Circle of Hope.
Then it was down to Creek House and a look at a community garden born of Food Not Lawns.
Under the shade of a tall elm we put up a table and shared mulberries, raw food crackers, fruit, veggies and organic delights galore. We finished up with Leann’s wonderful cupcakes.
The next day Erick had created the beautiful gate. It was welded with his artistic flair and attention to detail.
Mary the neighbor came to visit me as I was working and complemented the Young ones who she saw work so hard and accomplish so much. She explained that her family was Belgian farmers who grew hundred of bushels of sweet potatoes back before the Second World War in the East Bottoms. Fertile land now developed for commerce and lost to feeding the community. Back when Kansas City could still feed its self. She knew the value of growning food for our community. She recognized the values of Food Not Lawns
We are all bonded together now. FNLies with a mission, transform our communities into Gardens.
We are all bonded together now. FNLies with a mission, transform our communities into Gardens.
