STORY AND PHOTOS

STORY AND PHOTOS

By WILLIAM D. LEWIS

photo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Nestled on a va- cant corner of a North Side neighborhood that has seen better days is a garden that just might help turn that neighborhood around.

Located at Fairgreen and Ohio avenues, the Fairgreen Neighborhood Garden is supported by Grow Youngstown, a local organization that promotes urban agricultural land development and access to locally grown food.

On a recent afternoon, Elsa Higby, director of Grow Youngstown, was busy sorting vegetable plants and offering advice to gardeners. She paused from her work to say gardens such as Fairgreen are important for several reasons.

The garden becomes a meeting spot in the community, she said. In other words, when people are outside working in the garden, other folks stop by and socialize.

“There’s a security that a community garden can bring to a neighborhood because of the presence of neighbors outside working in the garden,” Higby said.

When an abandoned lot becomes a garden, a beautification aspect occurs in a neighborhood, she said. Garden plots, a large trellis for growing hops, and a flower and herb garden are under way at the Fairgreen site.

A house adjacent to the garden has a rain-catching system in place, and compost is made there.

The garden also serves a practical purpose by providing food, she said.

Tomatoes, peppers and potatoes are among the items being planted at the garden.

“People are growing food, and they’re learning from each other,” she said.

Among those planting were Amber Foster of Youngstown and her son Nick Foster, 4. She was busy weeding and spreading compost on her garden plot while Nick kept amused by smelling flowers and chatting with other gardeners.

Foster, who has taken classes in beekeeping, also tends two beehives at Fairgreen Garden.

Fairgreen Neighborhood Garden plots are available by calling 330-286-0688. Higby says gardeners are asked to volunteer four hours at the garden each month to help with maintenance.

Other community gardens in the city include Jubilee Gardens and St. Patrick Church Garden.