Hi guys!

.

Remember my thread about what to do with my new vegetable garden? Follow up thread today.

.

I had a wonderful day and am so thankful that a few volunteers made that possible.

.

.

.

Orgers who do volunteerswork or participate in community work;

.

You are doing a great job and create a better world!

.

Keep up the good work!

.

Just wanted to share happy event of this week.

.

At the end of my street, there was a piece of land, owned by the city, not used for any purpose.

.

So, two people started the vegetable community garden project.

.

It's on the East side of Amsterdam, where there are 3 'islands'

.

2 of the islands have been developed and have nice family appartments/houses.

Houses are expensive. so inhabited by middle class families (KNSM & Borneo).

.

3rd Island is part social housing, part privately owned houses.

That is the 'poorer' island. That is the 'island' I live now (Zeeburg).

.

What I love about these 2 people, is that they managed to create that space into a community gathering area for both the rich and the poor island.

.

.

Today I've been busy with getting the sand in my vegetable area.

And that pulled me out of my misery.

How wonderful.

.

Working while meeting new people is they key to turn a bad mood in a good one!

.

There were a lot of other peopel from the neighbourhood, sharing what we know about growing vegetables (very little).

.

They (richies) ordered biological vegetable soup from local caterar and they hired a musician who played the guitar and song all day.

.

Kids were playing and running around. Just having fun and meeting people without the stress of "who is this stranger".

.

.

I'm going to try to get more people of my (poor) area involved. So, we can establish a diverse neighbourhood community.

.

.

I just hope to inspire others with this babble thread.

.

.

I was not doing well. But because I committed myself to this project, I got out of bed today and went to work on my vegetable garden.

.

And it worked as a miracle.

.

.

Worked hard outside in the sun all day.

Met people, had great conversations and we all had soup.

The guitarist played for us and was really good in gathering all these people who did not know eachother. He got us around the camp fire (don't tell anybody, because open fire is illegal in Amsterdam).

.

.

It was such an uplifting day. For everybody involved.

.

.

And I love it that there is this little community now, that helps eachother and value thel important things in life. And who strive for an environment that enhances contact between diverse groups of people, in stead of alienating people who are different.

.

.

Hope to report later on how my vegetables are doing.

.

.

I want to share a few pictures with you.

.

.

.

It's so amazing what only 2 people with a good idea and a cooperative municipal worker can create.

.

.

Everybody pays a little money and there are a few volunteers who organise stuf.

On the face book group details are discussed and new ideas get pitched.

.

.

.

.

I hope this inspires somebody and value the importance of these little community initiatives!

.

.

.

.

Some photo's

[Edited 4/20/13 14:12pm]

I was cleaning up in my garden today, too. Don't know about Amersterdam, but it was a pretty day for it in Dallas!

What veggies do you have planted?

You should be proud of yourself!

Sounds like you had an awesome day and met great people while basking in nature. Sometimes I think about getting into gardening, I was in the environment club in junior high so I didn't have to worry about socializing outside at recess in the cold, but I feel lazy and feel the soil will get me dirty though I think it sounds like a great activity overall.

How wonderful.

what a great idea....looks likeyou will have a plentyful summer harvest. its nice to see a community come together like that.

Love it! You guys have a great space to work with.

I've planted some seeds I got from other people.

And am going there now daily to water my veggies.


I've invested my money in a freezer, so these plants better start to grow!


I've approached some people in my neighbourhood.

But they don't seem to be enthusiast about participating.


Which is a shame, I would prefer a mixed crowd.

CallMeCarrie said:

I was cleaning up in my garden today, too. Don't know about Amersterdam, but it was a pretty day for it in Dallas!

What veggies do you have planted?

You should be proud of yourself!

It was winter until last week>

Now it suddenly is a very warm spring.

So, perfect for my veggies.

I've planted what I was given; beans and green peas.


Want to do courgette, brocolli, strawberries later this week.

paintedlady said:

Love it! You guys have a great space to work with.

Yes, it's from the municipal, due to the crisis there is nobody who wants to invest in exploiting it commercially.

In due time, there will be a huge Hotel on the waterside and that area will become something commercially too.


We can use the land for free for the next 2 years. Than the government will decide if we can prolong or if they want to sell/exploit that land.



The costs of preparing the land, the soil, the rent of the casings and the fence are paid by the group of particpants themselves.

I apreciate how this project is initated and organised by just 2 people.

dJJ said:

I've planted some seeds I got from other people.

And am going there now daily to water my veggies.


I've invested my money in a freezer, so these plants better start to grow!


I've approached some people in my neighbourhood.

But they don't seem to be enthusiast about participating.


Which is a shame, I would prefer a mixed crowd.

They will in time when things get going.

Maybe not this year but in the future growing seasons you will get more and more people interested until you have to start turning folks away.

paintedlady said:

dJJ said:

I've planted some seeds I got from other people.

And am going there now daily to water my veggies.


I've invested my money in a freezer, so these plants better start to grow!


I've approached some people in my neighbourhood.

But they don't seem to be enthusiast about participating.


Which is a shame, I would prefer a mixed crowd.

They will in time when things get going.

Maybe not this year but in the future growing seasons you will get more and more people interested until you have to start turning folks away.

There is a huge waitinglist!

But the people who started it, had the ideal to create a place that enhances different races, background, ages etcetera to meet.

But the Dutch from Maroccon, Turkish, Antilles or Surinam heritage don't seek contact or show interest.

I've tried to get them involved, but they'r not responding actively.


So, probably the last ones will also go to the white Dutchies.

The kids that play outside a lot and whom I talked to about it, are very interested.

They don't seem to be so secular minded.

I'll talk to the kids tomorrow.

Maybe I can get one for a bunch of kids.

That would be nice.

this thread needs less text and more pics

dJJ said:

paintedlady said:

They will in time when things get going.

Maybe not this year but in the future growing seasons you will get more and more people interested until you have to start turning folks away.

There is a huge waitinglist!

But the people who started it, had the ideal to create a place that enhances different races, background, ages etcetera to meet.

But the Dutch from Maroccon, Turkish, Antilles or Surinam heritage don't seek contact or show interest.

I've tried to get them involved, but they'r not responding actively.


So, probably the last ones will also go to the white Dutchies.

The kids that play outside a lot and whom I talked to about it, are very interested.

They don't seem to be so secular minded.

I'll talk to the kids tomorrow.

Maybe I can get one for a bunch of kids.

That would be nice.

They will. We have a lot of different people from all over the place, Korea, Vietnam, Darfur, Senegal, so on and so forth. Those in my surrounding neighborhood started a CSA/County supported community garden near me since they couldn't find the fruits/vegetables they wanted in the stores. It's on a huge fenced in vacant lot, and now they sale some of what they grow. They have a ton of thing, giant banana trees, beans, potatoes, a bunch of stuff I have no idea what it is. All that to say that your neighbors will get involved when they see they really can.

Kids love flowers (even boys) and fun herbs and veggies like carrots.

Toothache plant is fun for kids- they can have lots of fun with these plants. The seeds can be purchased online...

Sesitivity plant - reacts to the touch... (please forgive the corny video, kids will love this in the garden)

other plants - peppers- eggplant-sunflowers- love in a puff

^^^^^ the seeds....

check to see if these can be grown in your zone and they won't be invansive.

Thanx P.Lady!


I managed to get some more color in the garden today!

Very happy with the result of my lobby.


The kids are very enthusiast. Not just the girls, also Mohammed is very happy with the idea that he will grow some vegetables.

Had tea with his mother, Fadua, and she will help me to get me in her Marrocan ladies sewing club.


Hurray for neighbourhood projects that bridge cultures.

And provide healthy food, and nice clothes!

dJJ said:

Thanx P.Lady!


I managed to get some more color in the garden today!

Very happy with the result of my lobby.


The kids are very enthusiast. Not just the girls, also Mohammed is very happy with the idea that he will grow some vegetables.

Had tea with his mother, Fadua, and she will help me to get me in her Marrocan ladies sewing club.


Hurray for neighbourhood projects that bridge cultures.

And provide healthy food, and nice clothes!

Great stuff!