CULLMAN, Ala. – The southwest side of Cullman is a bustling, densely populated residential area. One lot on the corner of Logan Street Southwest and Cleveland Avenue Southwest is home to a neatly arranged series of raised concrete planter boxes – the Logan and Cleveland Community Garden. Area residents can reserve these boxes, test their green thumbs and cultivate their own gardens.
Volunteers from the Cullman County Master Gardeners and First United Methodist Church, along with residents, came out to the garden last week and performed their annual “cleanup” day in preparation of incoming planting weather, pruning shrubs, trees and bushes to perfection and pulling unsightly weeds from the beds. The garden is a community effort, from beginning to end.
Sonya Nail, one of the garden’s on-site project managers, shared the importance of the community crops, saying, “The garden supports everyone in the community including the food insecure and unhoused as well. It’s a community garden in every sense, tended by the community for the community.”
There will be an informational meeting Thursday, May 2, at 6 p.m. at the Cullman Housing Authority, located at 1545 Vine Circle SW, for any interested individuals who wish to learn more about the reservation process or the community garden in general. This meeting will be the only opportunity to reserve a gardening bed; the cost is $25 for the season and includes all plants and gardening supplies needed.
Pizza and drinks will be provided to guests as they hear the ins and outs of the Logan and Cleveland Community Garden, including information on the sponsorships that keep the garden cost effective and open. With support from the North Alabama Agriplex and Cullman Housing Authority, each of the 35 raised beds have been maintained year-round. There’s also a permaculture garden filled with over 25 assorted fruit trees and bushes including blackberries, blueberries, grapes, figs and strawberries.
“The Logan and Cleveland Community Garden has been, and continues to be, a passion of mine that brings me true joy,” smiled Nail. “Being part of this opportunity to grow and give fresh fruits and vegetables back to our community since 2015 is unparalleled.”
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