Monday, April 25, 2011

Urban Gardens: Ogden's Oasis Community Garden and Pioneer Ward Garden

One of the movements in recent years has been to create green spaces in urban centers where residents can cultivate their own produce.  Certainly, current economic realities make gardening an inviting activity.  Today I thought I would feature a couple of urban gardens that are already existing in Downtown Ogden.

The first garden I would like to discuss is the Oasis Community Garden located on the 25th block of Monroe Blvd. in Ogden.


This garden is open to the public and has been an ongoing project for the Junior League and other stakeholders in the community.  It boasts a drip system of irrigation which maximizes efficient water use.  This is a good thing too since the garden requires the use of city culinary water.  

 
If you are interested in using the Oasis Garden for your own produce or would like to contribute so that others may do so, here are the forms to get you started (click to enlarge and print):

The second example of urban gardening in Ogden is the Pioneer Ward Garden.


This garden has been operating for several years as part of a multi-purpose self-sufficiency effort within our ecclesiastical congregation.  The garden is located on the 20th block of Adams Ave. 

 
Typically members of the congregation interested in gardening will select plots to manage and use.  Also, those who may be receiving food or financial assistance from the congregation may receive a plot to help provide for their needs.  Often, those receiving help may be asked to volunteer time to periodically weed the garden. 


Fortunately, the garden also comes endowed with a turn-of-the-century water well which provides for all necessary hydration via a more modern pump system.  Unlike the Oasis Garden, this garden is not open to the general public.  However, if you feel that you really would like to garden here instead, I can set up an appointment for you to visit with two enthusiastic young men wearing black name tags who would be more than happy to share the qualifications required to plant in the Pioneer Garden - grin!

Wherever you choose to garden, let's hope for green thumbs and bountiful yields this growing season.   

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