When the Plant-A-Row garden project at McCord Stickney Park opened this spring, no one envisioned whole fields of crops left rotting in the earth.
The volunteers who flocked to sow the earth with a wide array of vegetables and herbs certainly did not plan on their efforts being wasted.
‘We had a lot of people out there on opening day. We got a lot of seeds in the ground,? said Joy Kunkler-Morrison, a volunteer who took up the Plant-A-Row garden’s cause. ‘We need bodies out there now to control the weeds, but when it comes time to harvest, we won’t be able to harvest what we have out there unless we get more help.?
Master Gardener Elizabeth Egan, who is in charge of the Plant-A-Row garden, and Morrison feel the biggest problem so far is that people have not heard about the project. The garden’s once elusive entrance is slated to get a new sign, but a new sign will not do anything for the garden if there is not an influx of new volunteers.
‘Everyone writes checks at Christmas, but there is not just hunger during the holidays. I wanted to give back and I wanted to have an avenue to give back to the community,? said Morrison. ?(We have) such an awesome cause. (Volunteering) is such a great opportunity for parents to teach their kids a great life lesson.?
In 2003, a community garden on the same property, staffed by non-violent criminals working off their sentences, produced over 12,000 pounds of food for the Oakland County Food Bank. Due to protests from Independence Township residents, the garden was removed. Last year, the Plant-A-Row project took up the torch, helped by a sponsorship from the Michigan State Extension Office and Independence Township Parks and Recreation.
Since the Plant-A-Row garden got a late start in the growth season last year, the yield was a fraction of the year prior. However Egan and others involved with the project were optimistic this year thanks to an early start. Egan felt the land at the McCord Stickney Park could yield anywhere from 12,000-20,000 pounds of food.
?(The old community garden) had 50 people working the fields. We have had like five people from week to week,? said Morrison. ‘Opening day we had a great turnout, but since then we’ve had nothing.?
Originally, the garden’s organizers were counting on local businesses and their work forces to adopt the garden for a weekend. While they are focusing more on getting individuals out to volunteer, they would still appreciate some support from the private sector.
‘If we could get some company sponsorships and get an irrigation system, that would be great. But our biggest need is people,? said Morrison.
The Plant-A-Row garden operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-noon. and is located on Pine Knob Road. People interested in volunteering can just show up ready to work or can call Elizabeth Egan at 248-620-4621 for more information.
To get to the McCord Stickney Park, take Sashabaw Road north, approximately two miles past I-75, take a right onto Stinckney Road, follow that to Pine Knob Road.
Morrison set up a section of her website featuring more information about the Plant-A-Row garden including a wish-list for gardening tools and other items needed. Her website is www.joy-therealestatelady.com, visitors looking for information on the garden should click the link at the top right of the page.