Keller Park Unity Garden

Keller Park Unity Garden is located at 1001 Bryan St behind the Keller Park church . It was started 3 years ago by Meridith Eaton . After her first year she moved the garden to a new location in the neighborhood , and joined the Unity Gardens . Meridith is teacher at Marquette Montessori School . She uses her talents as a teacher to bring neighborhood kids into the garden . Much of the volunteer help comes from Keller Park church .

The church is very involved in helping the community . They host celebrate recovery meetings, Wed open community dinners, Spring , and fall block parties , GED classes , tutoring , and basketball . They also of course have Sunday Worship at 10:30 am .

Unity is excited to have Keller Park Unity Garden on board . They work hard to get the neighborhood involved in the garden, and on Saturday mornings they even harvest food and have the kids deliver it to the neighborhood . They work very hard to grow the garden . in 2010 they built several raised beds , and grew lots of food .

2011 holds some real exciting plans . Picnic tables ,rain barrels, mini greenhouse , a new sign with a sharing shelf , Raspberries , compost bin , and a decorative fence to highlight the area .

Looks like another busy year for Keller Park . We honor all the good work you have done .

Looking for Funding

Unity Gardens is lookng for funding for 2011
Please read our story on the tab above . Unity Gardens is more than just growing food .

Please donate through the Paypal donate button on the right side of this blog . All donations are tax deductible
Or contact
Sara Stewart
574-315-4361
growunitygardens@yahoo.com

Mail to :
Unity Gardens
PO 10022
South Bend IN 46680

Master Gardeners

Last night I took my test for my Master Gardner test . Its the first step in becoming a master gardener . Next I become an intern, and do volunteer education.

Master gardeners are people who who study university approved research based horticulture practices through the local extension . There are over 94,ooo Master Gardeners in the US . They volunteer their time, and expertise to for the benefit of the community. To date Master Gardeners have logged over 5 million volunteer hours helping to save the world one garden at a time . Its all about helping others grow flowers , trees , shrubs, grass , and yes even vegetables . My class is taught by Phil Sutton who heads up the Purdue Extension office for St Joe County . I took the class to learn more about vegetable gardening so I could do some education for Unity Gardens . I soon realized that it was great to learn about all the plants, insects , and disease. Its seems we have lost touch with with the environment . Hopefully I can help others get back into their gardens through education . Its a great class I recommend it to everyone , even if you don't garden .

Wrapping for a Good Cause

Thanks to everyone who helped with the gift wrapping at Macy's this weekend . And thanks to Macy's for the space , supplies , and a program that helps support the community .

We will be back at Macy's next weekend .

Weekend

When not working in the Garden we can find a little time to support the local community . United Way tree Sale , First Friday's at Junk Evolution ..All good fun .

Wrapping Presents

Unity Gardens is wrapping presents at Macy's this Holiday season to raise money 100% of the proceeds goes to Unity Gardens.We need volunteers to man the wrapping tables so please can to help out, or just come shop, and get your presents wrapped
Please sign up to raise money for Unity by manning our wrapping station at Macy's Dept Store Dec 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th, 17th, 18th, 19, or 20th from 12 to 7pm. Call or message us to sign up! Work an hour or all day! Any helps!
Call Sara574-315-4361growunitygardens@yahoo.com

Potawatomi Conservatories

Last night Sara & I attended to Volunteer dinner at the Potawatomi Conservatories . It was a time to honor the people who keep the place going , a to present plans for the upcoming year . Andy Schnabel the President of the Botanical Society spoke a little about the upcoming collaboration with the Unity Gardens . Heidi handed out awards to the Volunteers . Don Spoke about future plans for a website , blog , and membership drive . Jon Burke with city layed out the plan for revamping the heating system in a more environmental way . All in all there are great things going on at the Conservatories . If you have not visited in awhile or you never have , it might be time to pay them a visit . Maybe join the Botanical Society , and lend a hand . The Conservatories are a one of the cities fine gems from another era that we must preserve . I am glad to say that are city is doing just that . Its just one piece in the puzzle of revitalizing our city .

The role the Unity Gardens will play in supporting the Conservatories is still evolving . We plan on doing a growing a home garden series starting in January , Starting plants in the greenhouse to sell to raise funds , helping them with their blog , and maybe even growing some vegetables in the greenhouse .

All good , and exciting stuff !!