Jackson Free Press

On the corner of Capitol and Adams Streets, city work crews and volunteers are busy transforming an empty lot into a community garden that will provide fresh produce and a sense of community for residents.

Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson Jr. announced the city's Urban Garden Initiative that will involve community members, volunteers and neighborhood associations to maintain and benefit from their own garden, at a morning press conference.

"The initiative will bring together citizens from all walks of life," Johnson said. "It will bond older and younger people, and citizens can have access to fresh vegetables."

Johnson said the land is on loan from the Jackson Redevelopment Authority. Produce such as tomatoes, squash, onions and peas will be free to the community, but Johnson said excess produce could be sold at a local farmer's market.

To maintain the garden's longevity, volunteers will use plastic culture, a planting method that can be used to grow crops years round. Plastic culture involves building raised beds covered with rolls of plastic to optimize plant growth. The garden will also have a drip irrigation system.

For more information about the garden or to volunteer, contact the Mayor's office at 601-960-1084.

Previous Comments

ID

157363

Comment

Awesome!

Author

darren

Date

2010-04-22T12:53:38-06:00

ID

157367

Comment

Absolutely FANTABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Author

J.T.

Date

2010-04-22T13:12:46-06:00

ID

157371

Comment

Creative, innovative and just up STRAIGHT GREAT!!!!!!!!!

Author

justjess

Date

2010-04-22T13:20:54-06:00

ID

157380

Comment

Will I be able to buy free range chickens there... I used to stay in that area I know someone has a rooster that crows at sunrise.

Author

dd39203

Date

2010-04-22T15:35:15-06:00