Oasis in a Concrete Jungle

by Paul Monfette
Photo by Linda Chan

I remember pictures of the space before the veggies went in  - barren, dry, deserted, unloved.

Somehow, as fate would have it, with my knee operation, I wasn't there for the very beginning, but fate once again, had me fill in for one of the watering persons and now I water at least once a week.

Little kids wander by this strip along the back of the James Bay Community Project.  I'm going to stop and count the variety of veggies, herbs and edible flowers one day.  It is a lush strip and colourful.  Tall and bushy fava beans grow side by side with some kind of climbing runner bean.  Shapes, sizes, heights and colours - What a delight!  Corn starting to sheath are at one end; the other end a mass of nasturtium colors, reds, oranges, yellows.  In between, kales, lettuces, tomatoes, squashes, with friend rosemary looking out for all.  I get to be one of the stewards of this garden, helping me to remember how blessed I am.  One of the best things about this kitchen garden is the family centre that it fringes.   Little children, their parents, grand-parents or caregivers are able to watch an ever-changing and edible part of their world.    How beautiful is that.  Love in Action.

The food that is produced by this kitchen garden supports JBCP Program / Soup Making and is a rich experience for the people that volunteer in this garden.  Please visit: http://jbsc.ca for more info and pics.