A row of potted herb and vegetable plants are seen lined up outside the public works building in downtown Houston. The garden, a cooperative effort by city officials and nonprofit group, is part of a trend in cities across the county, where gardens are being used as tools for economic development and community-building, and to support the growing local-foods movement. AP Photo by Pat Sullivan.

Downtown Houston Container Vegetable Garden Project

Monica Rhor
For The Associated Press
July 27, 2010

Excerpt:

HOUSTON — A funny thing happened after Keiji Asakura suggested the creation of a vegetable garden in the middle of the concrete corridor and skyscraper canyon that is downtown Houston.

It actually came to fruition — with a swiftness that stunned the landscape architect and the nonprofit group that shared his vision.

Within three weeks, seeds, plants and container pots had been donated, city officials had hopped on board, and a nascent garden had sprouted outside the 25-story Bob Lanier Public Works Building.

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Jazz Monde serving a Pollinator (green tea liqueur, soda water and Sprite), a signature cocktail offered at the Camellia Lounge at Descanso Gardens near Los Angeles. Photo by Jonathan Alcorn for The New York Times

In 2009, 35 percent of American households had some kind of food garden, up from 31 percent in 2008

By Judith H. Dobrzynski
New York Times
July 26, 2010

Excerpts:

For the last quarter century, the Cleveland Botanical Garden went all out for its biennial Flower Show, the largest outdoor garden show in North America. With themed gardens harking back to the Roman empire, or an 18th-century English estate, the event would draw 25,000 to 30,000 visitors.

But in 2009, the Flower Show was postponed and then abandoned when the botanical garden could not find sponsors. This year, the garden has different plans. From Sept. 24 to 26, it is inaugurating the “RIPE! Food and Garden Festival,” which celebrates the trend of locally grown food — and is supported in part by the Cleveland Clinic and Heinen’s, a supermarket chain.

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Entrepreneurs are seeking sustainability and equitability in San Francisco’s urban ag movement

By Sarah Rich
Edible San Francisco
25 July 2010

Excerpt:

In a region where people are passionate about the advancement of urban farming, it’s only natural that our local food magazine would dedicate some ink in each issue to talking about this noble pursuit. This is the first installment in Edible SF’s new urban agriculture column, where we’ll explore everything from window-box tomato cultivation to pending city policies around farms on public land. If you have suggestions for a little-known local endeavor or a pressing issue you’d like to see covered here, please get in touch.

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Stops at five community gardens – bike or bus

Thursday July 29, 2010
5:00 to 8:00pm (8-9:30pm dinner)
Sustainable Communities Network

In the words of Ginny Ramsey of The Catholic Action Center, “Urban gardening is a way to empower neighborhoods and individuals in the creation of a community hub while eating healthier and regaining a connection to our food source.”

Sumaya Rashid of Virginia Place says “ I was inspired by the 2009 Garden Tour and knew I had to help lead the effort to have one at Virginia Place. My daughter loves the garden and enjoys being out there everyday. Our garden plots have been a wonderful addition to the bonding of mothers and children”.

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