Detroit, Part 4

Potato plants carry on the automotive industry tradition!

The building in the background is unfortunately now a see-through building.  Because the city's ash trees are dying due to the Emerald Ash Borer, the city uses this now vacant land as a tree nursery for future transplants.

Nearby, surrounded by an expanse of lawn, there were raised beds and this long row of tomatoes, for selling at a market.

With another view of the butterfly and thistle, we now say goodbye to the Detroit blogs. Seeing the empty expanses and the endeavours to grow food in Detroit had quite an impact on me.  Cities are all so different, and they change and evolve.  I wonder what is ahead for Vancouver with all its high-end construction--what will survive and be viable in the future global economy?  If you want to learn more about Detroit, link here:   Urban Roots

Detroit, Part 3

Hope Takes Root is a community garden in the North Corktown neighbourhood. It is one of the older community gardens in the city, originally started in a different site and in its current location since 2002.

This structure collects rain water, essential in the summer.

Hoops, not in use right now, with the water structure in the background.

I liked this creative metal gate.  Beyond it is their bee hive project, helpful to all nearby gardens.  Click here for a video on their active bee hives 

 

Hope Takes Root, again!

A variety of things are grown here, hops, the usual vegetables, and even apples!

 

Bikes are a practical way to get around in this depopulated neighbourhood that is lacking the public transit a more populated area would require.  We saw bike racks like these in this garden as well as in a number of other places.

Watch for Detroit, Part 4!