The idea of a Community Garden has been kicking around Brookline for quite a while. As far back as 2008-2009, the Study Circles formed for the Master Plan update had suggested a Community Garden, and the Lions Club and Conservation Commission have expressed interest as well.

Well, we have our first step, located right here at the Brookline Public Library!

This will be our learning lab, and once we have a season or two under our belts, we can think about expanding to a larger space.

In the photos above, we have the original raw space, and the planning session in April, with Muskie supervising.

Below, we show the construction of the raised beds and the placement of the soil. We had a robin visit us almost immediately, and he was very happy with the worm-rich soil!

Here, our beds are all prepped and we have some of our tomatoes in.

In July, the garden was far enough along for Miss Boo to demonstrate where food really comes from for the kids in the Summer Reading Program.

Late July, and with watering and mulching, we have a lush, thriving garden! The tomatoes love the compost-rich soil. The green beans and carrots will be ready for late harvesting, and we had success growing the flowers in the straw bales.