by Amy Martin, Gardens & Greenbelt Coordinator

The short block of Whitehaven off Lake Gardens, which was the back entrance to the apartment complex, was closed off by the city due to speeding traffic. This was done at Eastwood Neighborhood Association’s request, so we created the raised Whitehaven Garden to soften the impact. Neighbors later added the fence behind it.

But after a decade or so, the garden declined. Dirt washed out of it and it became deeply shaded. Most of the plants died. Eastwood Gardeners excavated the bed and the community came together to shovel a pile of donated organic matter into the bed.

Today, Eastwood Gardeners planted the bed! We are ready for rain and spring energy. Soon it will be verdant. We’ll have to be diligent about watering in its first year as the plants put down roots. But all the plants are low-water natives, so they’re tough.

Many thanks to Francis, Keith, and Sharon for their garden leadership and willingness to join my crazy idea of resurrecting the bed, and to Charlie, Eileen, and Katherine for their assistance. Special thanks to Francis for grinding the organic material to become more soil-like.