Jonesboro Community Garden

Community Gardens are Science. Education about nature and gardening, the public health aspects of gardening and of feeding the community. Yes, that is science.

Community Gardens come in many forms. Some are planted just to enjoy, others are planted to provide food, and others are planted to be educational. The Jonesboro Garden will meet all three of those purposes. We are getting there.



Near the garden a family of doves is in the making. The momma dove lays two eggs in a loosely constructed nest of twigs. Later the baby doves will be fed partially digested regurgitated food called "pigeon milk."

This rose (Rosa multiflora) which lines the alley would be considered a pest in some areas, but here (at least in my opinion) it is a welcome early bloomer.



This rose can be distinguished from similar species by the fringed stipules at the leaf petiole base.

Coreopsis is growing and blooming in an opportune place along an alleyway.

Inside the garden this rose is Zephirine Drouhin, an old Bourbon rose climber from 1868. It is one of the most fragrant roses, but to enjoy the fragrance you will have to get on your knees for now. It won't take long for the vine to grow up on the structure it is planted next to, however. This rose is thornless, and will provide repeat blooms all season (once established) after a flurry of early spring blooms.

A nice surprise for us was this growth from a weeping willow that we planted and that we later thought had died. Now there is new growth, and it will probably grow pretty fast. We will stake it up soon.

There are also raised boxes for community members to plant vegetables. Last year there were sunflowers, squash, tomatoes, corn and more. These are sitting empty so far.