News from Coordinator Chrissy

Laurie Rollins Anderson 8:22 pm June 23, 2023 No comments yet

The garden is buzzing with activity, and there is so much beauty this time of year! Our community gardeners have planted all of their spaces. With a lot of time, effort, and tons of volunteer help, we have planted our native garden! Everything has truly come to life.

I recently had the opportunity to go on a tour with our new grantor Nature Sacred, to some local urban gardens/farms, where we were able to see how these green spaces in the Baltimore area are supporting the needs of their communities. The folks that I met have the same or similar missions: to strengthen food security and to teach urban farming/gardening, so generations to come will know how to be self-sustaining.

Chrissy at Filbert Street Garden with Twinkie the goat

That morning, we met in the parking lot of Stillmeadow Community Fellowship on Frederick Avenue, to visit with Pastor Mike at the adjoining property known as Peace Park. The majority of their property is forest area, but they are still growing and teaching sustainability through gardening.

Stillmeadow Peace Park

Our next stop that day was at Strength to Love II Urban Farm. This farm is a 1.5 acre site with hoop houses for growing. Must see: their absolutely gorgeous murals!

Strength To Love Farm II

Next on our tour was BLISS Meadows, a 10-acre urban farm and teaching site to help reconnect BIPOC people to nature. They have a great property that gives them room for growing veggies and other plants, animals such as their chickens and goats, and a really cool mud-kitchen in their wooded area! Fun fact, our goat Twinkie is the uncle of two of BLISS Meadow’s goats!

Goats at BLISS Meadows

The entire day was great for connecting with community leaders, networking, and sharing what works in certain situations. We are all anticipating the work coming up with Nature Sacred on our upcoming upgrades and additions. (See the invitation to our Open House on June 28.)

Join us with Nature Sacred and Floura Teeter for an Open House on Wednesday June 28 from 4-6pm!

We’re also looking forward to seeing everyone on July 8 at Filbert Fest, our annual anniversary celebration. It’s sweeter this year because we’re celebrating acquisition of our land deed, and presenting our Protectors of the Garden awards. All welcome; always free.

Filbert Fest is July 8!
Community
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Animal Corner with Charles: The Nigerian Dwarf Goat

filbertstreetcommunitygarden 6:50 pm June 23, 2023 No comments yet

All 11 of our goats at Filbert Street Garden are Nigerian Dwarf Goats. The breed is a “dairy breed” of domesticated goat that comes from the West African Pygmy Goat. The breed hit American shores during the Great Depression in the mid-1930s as a milk alternative that was less expensive than cows, but did not become widespread. The breed has been popular in American zoos.

Here are some facts about the breed!

1. Nigerian Dwarf Goats and their Pygmy Goat cousins are the two miniature goat breeds.

2. The Nigerian Dwarf Goat has been cross bred with shaggy Angora goats to create “Nigora” goat. They produce a cashmere-type of fabric.

3. All goats typically have twins, but among the Nigerian Dwarf Goat breed triplets and quadruplets are common.

4. Nigerian Dwarf Goats are among the most popular livestock show breeds and are a popular companion animal.

5. Only miniature breeds are allowed in Baltimore City. Goats require a permit.

6. Cheese is currently the oldest goat at 6.5 years old. They can typically live up to 15 years.

Animals
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Update on Native Plants Project

Laurie Rollins Anderson 5:19 pm June 23, 2023 No comments yet

We’re excited to be entering phase three of our native garden project! Phase one consisted of planting native trees and shrubs along the 4000 sq ft outer fence line on Elmtree Street. We have installed 15 trees including persimmon, elderberry, chokeberry, Eastern redbud, serviceberry, and paw paw. All of these trees also have the benefits of being edible! 

Phase two was the installment of a pollinator garden and edible native raised bed. This is located inside the fence, next to our bee yard. Plants were chosen intentionally to ensure blooms from early Spring through first frost in order to keep our many honey bee hives well stocked and happy! 

Phase three involves planting native flower gardens between the trees and shrubs that were installed in phase one. This will fill out the space while adding a number of habitats and food sources for native species. 

With this project, we aim to channel the principals of regenerative agriculture, which means nurturing and restoring soil health while facilitating increased biodiversity. We hope you’re able to enjoy the blooms, native species, and edible fruits from these efforts for years to come! We are endlessly thankful to the varied and eager volunteers who have made this work possible. 

– Brittany Coverdale, Garden Steward

Gardens