My family and I have been members of the King Farm Farmstead Community Garden for over a decade. My children have grown up planting, watering, weeding and eating the tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, zucchini and other vegetables we have grown.
I know from talking to my fellow garden members how much they enjoy their garden plots as well. There is a certain satisfaction in seeing your hard work pay off with such a delicious payoff.
Community gardens though are about more than just tomatoes, peppers, etc. They are a gathering place, a place to socialize and to meet neighbors, make friends and build the sense of community that is so important to many of us.
What is the problem then with community gardens?
Simply - there are not enough of them.
Rockville should be looking to expand the gardens and create new community gardens. It is a great way to build a sense of community, turn unused space into useful food-producing gathering spaces and it is in keeping with Rockville's sentiments about the environment.
The City should look seriously at expanding the Community Gardens program. It just makes sense.