Exploring a Community Treasure
by Beth Coyne
Last week I was invited by Cuyahoga County Master Gardener Rita Robinson to visit the Benjamin Frankin Garden, located in Old Brooklyn. Her e-mail said "If you've never been here, you should visit. It's amazing! The gardening program for 4th graders started in the 20's and continues today."
Note to myself.. when someone says something is amazing and you should visit, my advice. Go! Stop what you think you need to do, breath then rest. I trust you too will have the luck of the Irish and discover this magical oasis tucked neatly away in a neighborhood south-east of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. My original mission was to seek then photograph:native plants, the pollinator gardens, herb gardens and the Tiny Metroparks, then quickly head back home. Oh dear, I lingered well over an hour on this five acre site and discovered so much more!
When I arrived early last Tuesday, just after 9 am, the garden was still yawning, a man and a women were also on a mission, harvesting the last fruits of their labor. I sensed pride, determination and gratitude. They nodded my way but expressed an unspoken message. I was welcome but they had work to do and could not chat or answer any questions I might have.
This
suited me well as I was forced to use my imagination. Whose chair was this? I
pictured an elderly Polish women dressed in her calico dress with a flowery hat
perched on her head. I couldn't help but think her message went
something like this; rest a bit, I gladly share both my chair and the bounty of
my labor with those who need the gift of kindness and freindship. Who were the Reitters,
Basich, and the Provenz's?
Little white stakes with hand written names lined the paths. Were these last names or coded messages? I couldn't be sure. Not that the Benjamin Franklin Garden needed it but theses markers along with: garden art, annual flowers and picked fences certainly added additional charm.
Have the children given the garden art names? Perhaps this is Charlottet or Amelia? I like to think they have!
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| Charlotte it is! |
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| Amelia? |
I must have missed the Monarch Way-station sign but I am certain it was there. Everything needed to earn this certificate was provided: water, shelter, numerous native plants as well as annuals like Zinnia's which are packed full of nutritional nectar and of course milkweed for the Monarch caterpillars. My not so wild guess is that somewhere on the property was a Certified Wildlife Habitat sign. Everything to fulfill this requirement was provide: plenty of water, shelter to raise young combined with a wide host of native plants that provide food for not only butterflies but both native and honey bees. |
| I had forgotten how much I love Zinnia's |
Green Thumbs and the Proper Equipment
This Group of Gardeners not only has green thumbs but they know what equipment it takes to get the work done. I noticed many items that would make ones life easier. What I didn't realize as there are also: restrooms, locked steel containers, tools to use, picnic tables to rest and grab a bite. I thought water bottles for $.50/each was a wise added touch.
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| Wash Basin next to Pin Oak |
It is impossible not to notice the Pin Oak towering over the washbasin. How generous of it to provide shade during hot summer days, nesting spots for numerous birds and food for squirrels and other small animals. In the book Bringing Nature Home we are reminded by author Douglas W. Tallamy that oak trees support 534 different lepidoptera species, this order includes: butterflies, moths and skippers.
I couldn't help but wondered how old the tree was and how many 4th graders did it take to hold hands and circle the tree?
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| Trifecta Compost Bin!! |
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| Dill! |
We think of Dill and we think of pickles. Did you know that Dill is the host plant for the caterpillar of the Black Swallowtail? Bring on the pickles!
Imagine a Day When There is Residential Organic Waste Pick up
I was curious so I took a picture of this compost bin. I wasn't sure what full cycle organics were. I took a peek inside, there were: old tomatoes, rotten peppers and a few weeds. It appeared to be typical compost material to me. Indeed it was! It turns out Full Cycle Organic is a business in Cleveland, Ohio, USA that picks up food waste from business and converts it into compost!! Now that is a great, green business plan!!
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| Hoses sure make the job easier! |
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| All Gardens need an Angle! |
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| The back saving parking lot! |
One Garden Many Suburbs!
This magnificent gem is one garden divided into numerous subdivisions. I hope that I didn't miss any. The Herb Garden is one of the gardens maintained by the Cuyahoga County Master Gardeners. They have a wonderful web page that list all the amazing programs they are involved with. Their work deserves a second post.
Oh Yes the Natives!
Sorry, I got side tracked by all the lovely sights, sounds and smells that I forgot I was on a mission to locate wildflowers. There is no need to introduce these native Ohio species as the plant identification markers say it all.
I understand that some folks eat the Jerusalem artichoke tubers. Since they were growing in the community garden I am assuming that is the case. Has anyone eaten them? If so how do they taste? How are they prepared? I am also wondering if I can over-winter the tubers I have growing here at NOG or should I leave them in the ground and dig them up next spring. Questions, Questions, Questions!!!
Wild & Crazy Bergamot!!
Our Friendly Uncle Joe Pye
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| Joe-pye-weed |
Hum a native cactus you say? Oh Yes Pickly Pear Cactus! A friend from the market gave me a several a few years back; I am making progress and am beginning to build a nice little cacti population.
This garden is the antithesis of prickly. If it weren't for the work that needed to be accomplished I would have plopped myself down one of the nice quiet benches, grabbed my native plant books from the car and rested longer much longer!
Directions
The garden is located behind Benjamin Franklin Elementary School - Map
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