Councilman turns eyesore into food producer

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The garden produces enough food for two families.

GIRARD — A city councilman has transformed what once was a dilapidated structure into something beautiful to watch — and he picked up some delicious food as well.

Councilman Mike Costarella has been toiling away in the victory garden to the rear of his home for four years and says he is pleased with the fruits — and vegetables — of his labor.

The term victory garden comes from gardens planted at private residences in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany during World War I and World War II to reduce the pressure on the public food supply brought on by the war effort.

For Costarella, the victory-garden idea took shape a few years ago while sitting in city hall hearing residents complain about a house directly to the rear of his home.

“The house was in foreclosure and in really bad shape,” he said. “I started thinking, ‘That is directly behind me.’ I was doing all this work on my house, so I figured I could buy it, improve the neighborhood and give our kids more space.”

Costarella, after an agreement with his wife to forgo a new car he wanted, was able to purchase the house and land for $40,000. He soon had the house torn down and had enough space for his kids to play, so he decided to add a garden.

Costarella enlisted the help of a close friend, and the pair began experimenting with various planting techniques. Now, it is down to a science with enough food for both families to divide.

“This is the fourth year for this garden, and it has been really productive,” Costarella said. “I always grow a row of corn as an offering to the squirrels so they don’t touch the other plants. We also grow zucchini, summer squash, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, peas, carrots, radishes and cucumbers.”

Costarella said there is a definite benefit to doing the work with a partner.

“For people that want to do this, there is some effort, and I suggest they share the load. The more people involved, the better,” he said.

The two men have found a way to make the garden more “green,” developing an irrigation system by which Costarella collects rain water and uses that to keep the garden moist.

Many people, Costarella said, may not be in the position to purchase land for a similar gardening experience, but he would like to see more gardens spring up via partnerships with local municipalities.

“What I would love to see is a partnership between the city and people who live near existing lots willing to farm the land whether they own the land or not. What are we going to do with all these vacant lots?” he said.

Costarella said there is an added benefit of family time to any gardening venture.

jgoodwin@vindy.com