Outside my house!

Waking up Saturday I see the first peek of spring outside my town-home in Midtown. Little yellow daffodils are pushing their way out of the ground and Eastern Market is full of visitors ready for sunshine and early morning pour-overs at Trinosophes.  After months in sludge, snow, and gray skies; Detroiters are ready to celebrate the coming of a new season. What better place to get your hands dirty and commemorate spring, then in the city deemed King of all things Urban and Garden? 

If you are looking to flex your green thumb, The Michigan Urban Farming Initiative has weekly Saturday workdays where you can drop in and help at the garden. Ongoing education, sustainability and community are the foundational values that keep this great non profit thriving in Detroit. Sourcing fresh food to table is put to practice at the Earthworks Garden, a program housed within the well-known Capuchin Soup Kitchen. Gardeners here know that their harvest will help feed those who need it most. Earthworks also offers great camps and workshops for the kids, sneaking in education and nutrition during the summer break.  Planting over 85,000 trees in the city since the late 80’s, Greening of Detroit is yet another non profit committed to green space in the city. They also have a unique apprentice program if you want to learn how to begin your own urban farm! In a city of over 300 urban gardens, your spring fix is just a hop skip and jump away. Check out these local spots and get growing.

Side note: My first experience gardening in Detroit was actually at Catherine Ferguson Academy, where pregnant teenage women were empowered to grow gardens for their future family while obtaining their high school diploma.  If you need a little garden inspiration watch Grown in Detroit to learn more.