by Cheryl Muñoz
It all started with a curiosity and eagerness to learn how to grow my own food (without making a lot of mistakes). I'd ride my bike around Oak Park and notice trellises teaming with grapes and berries and through the slats of wooden fences I would spy manicured raised beds brimming with squash, beans and tomatoes. It all looked so beautiful but I didn't know much more than how to turn on the sprinkler.
I have friends and neighbors with vegetable gardens and they share their knowledge freely. In fact, it was a group of neighbors who encouraged me to rip out my font lawn in the Spring of 2012 to plant a Victory Garden but I desired to meet others, still, who had more to share. I was looking for local resources and a network of gardeners to call on for advice as I planted my front yard with edibles. (I was a little worried I had ruined my property value!).
So, The Sugar Beet Edible Garden Tour was born and I had created myself a "back stage pass" to the coolest gardens in Oak Park. I began my search by asking around, "Do you know anyone who grows their own food?". Everyone knows someone. There seems to be at least one person on each block that has turned their yard into an edible landscape and they are a sharing bunch (gardening makes people nicer). I received invitations to visit and was welcomed with my young kids to march through Spring plantings and taste freshly picked berries and greens as I toured these labors of love. It was so inspiring that I just had to share.
The first Edible Garden Tour was an incredible success I am proud to say. My husband, Anthony, created beautiful logos and maps, Susanne Fairfax took gorgeous photos and all 10 gardens were unique and welcoming. Volunteers, many of whom I had just met, were so generous with their time and enthusiasm for urban agriculture. The weather was perfect, too… (I was so relieved!). Moreover, the gardeners met the challenge by creating educational signs, invited guests to taste their edibles and opened up their private gardens to over 150 tour goers. It was an exhausting day but in that good way… like the feeling after spending a long day working in the garden.
Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
This year, I have had the pleasure of working with Jill Niewoehner and her crew of volunteers who have scouted the gardens, coordinated the maps and details, arranged for registrations sites, master gardeners, advertising and community partnerships. So may details go into this event! It truly takes a team dedicated to community and this year's tour will be incredible due to their efforts.
Consider The Edible Garden Tour YOUR "back stage pass" to meet some wonderful people and explore what we are capable of. We are more than vegetable growers, we are soil builders, engineers, educators, and community builders.
Find out what's happening in Oak Park-River Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Join us!
The Edible Garden Tour is this Saturday July 27th from 10-3.
15 private gardens, chickens, goats, permaculture and an aquaponics system are highlights this year.
Click here for your tickets, a link to the map and more info.
