A Victory For The City: Victory Gardens 08+
Planted smack dab in the middle of San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza is a demonstration garden of edible and ornamental plants that has the potential to not only create a radical shift in our food production, but a re-imagining of the garden itself.
“Utopian ideas with real world applications” is the way that artist and designer Amy Franceschini describes her work. While travelling in Ghent in the the east Flanders province of Belgium, Franceschini discovered that this city underwrote private vegetable gardens as being considered critical for local food supply and the health of the environment.
Amy Franceschini believed that our “centralized” agricultural system led to food production far from urban centers. Not only was this wasteful in fuel, but in turn led to higher prices at the supermarket. Growing produce locally in under-utilized backyards and public lands in urban environments meant that organic practices in food production could be insured. Food and fuel independence in uncertain times is also a national security issue. Inspired, Franceschini turned her sights to that most innovative of American cities, San Francisco. Joining with Blair Randall of The Garden for the Environment, San Francisco’s non-profit demonstration garden, a pilot project funded by the city of San francisco named Victory Gardens 2008+ was created. This program calls for:
A more active role for cities in shaping agricultural and food policy. This program offers tools, training, & materials for urban dwellers to participate in a city-wide transformation of underutilized backyards, public lands, school yards, and marginal urban sites— turning them into productive growing spaces. The SF Victory Garden program builds on the successful Victory Garden programs of WWI and WWII but redefines “Victory” in the pressing context of urban sustainability. “Victory” is growing food at home for increased local food security and reducing the food miles associated with the average American meal.
The city hall gardens inhabit the same site used as a victory garden during WWII. In the 1943 image above, the victory gardens here were utilized more as a demonstration garden, but it inspired an enthusiastic populace to plant victory gardens in Golden Gate Park and throughout the region.Victory gardens throughout the US in the 1940’s accounted for 41% of the national food production!
The City Hall gardens today are sponsored by Slow Food Nation, Seeds of Change who specialize in 100% certified organic, openpollinated seeds, and The Studio for Urban Projects which focuses on art, architecture, ecology, and the public realm to generate projects that re-imagine the urban landscape.
I spoke with Blair Randall, Victory Gardens 08+ Program Director, about the structure of the planting areas. He explained that, “The raised beds of rich composted topsoil was necessary as the existing soil under the Civic Center Plaza was sandy and low in fertility like many parts of San Francisco. The circular paths between the beds aided in harvesting.” Drip irrigation, shown with black tubes in the image above, is an integral part of their approach. Water-wise drip irrigation is necessary in an environment which experiences drought and water scarcity. The traditional kind of jet spray irrigation is inefficient and also contributes to powdery mildew in this climate of dry days and foggy nights.
Randall continues, “This also becomes a matter of good public policy for cities with municipal gardens who wish to set a standard of water conservation.”
Bold effects are achieved with contrasting plantings of chartreuse and bronze colored leaves. It is exciting to consider that this new approach to vegetable and edible landscapes has not only environmental benefits, but also innovative aesthetic possibilities.
While strolling through this garden, I could not help but notice a profusion of flowering plants both in their own beds, as well as incorporated within the beds of edible plants. These flowering plants are used to attract pollinators. Featured here are California native plants such as the pink flowering Clarkia amoena, and two species of Baby Blue Eyes, Nemophila menziesii, and Nemophila maculata “baby five spot”
In many home gardens, households struggle between those who have an interest in edible plants, and those for whom it is not a garden without flowers. Traditionally, except for a tidy row of marigolds, flowers were banished from the vegetable patch. Adventurous gardeners may have included the artichoke in the flowering perennial border, but generally an apartheid of species prevailed. In the wholistic approach of Victory Gardens 08+, both flowering and edible plants are integral for a healthy ecosystem.
The focus of Victory Gardens 08+ is of course on edible plants, fruits and vegetables. What is striking to me personally is that when plants such as the squash shown above is elevated as a garden feature, considerations of the plants usefulness as a food source also takes on new meanings. What may have been taken for granted in a plant which provided food in the past, now in this context can be appreciated for its aesthetic, emotional and spiritual qualities.
The gardens featured here attracted an incredibly large and diverse crowd of people who wanted to experience this place with their families and connect with others. In my last visit to this garden I sat on the straw bales which define the perimeter and had a great time chatting with the people next to me. Watching the huge crowds of people enjoying this garden I saw young people taking in the scene, an Asian grandfather excitedly pointing out plants to his family, gardeners in straw hats, mothers and fathers. It came to me that even though people could certainly visit a community garden to see edible plants, it was the very fact that this garden was placed in our most public of places, the Civic Center Plaza, that created a setting where everyone felt they could participate. Blair Russell remarked “This garden in this particular setting creates a civic engagement; people of all backgrounds come together here and discuss what kind of city they want to live in.”
Hi Philip, what a fantastic feel good story. You did a great job explaining the background to what is happening today in your fair city and why. We have devoted more ofour garden space here to food also and have been pleased with the results. It is a learning process but such a good use of the land. The gardens in SF are beautiful as well as productive, I like that. All good!
Frances at Faire Garden
Comment by Frances — 5. September 2008 @ 17:30
This was great! I have a backyard that literally is full of rotting bark and white rock, an out of control bird of paradise and a few agapanthus as well as jade tree… I really need to do something and this is an idea I might want to consider. Having two dogs and a cat, I need to make sure they will have space as well. My back yard is only 25′x 25′, so I have little room to have a garden, patio and pet space.
Thanks Philip!
John
Comment by John — 5. September 2008 @ 20:41
This really is a feel good story. It’s such an amazing project.
Comment by Nancy Bond — 5. September 2008 @ 22:14
Hi Frances!
You garden is so special. I keep on thinking of how you captured the morning light.
Best Regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 5. September 2008 @ 22:38
Hi John!
Thanks for the comment!
Knowing you your garden will be stylish and great fun! a great place for a party, but also a retreat.
I love your idea on the teahouse and bamboo!
How about one section a legoland!
Definately the pet space!
Best regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 5. September 2008 @ 22:43
Hi Nancy,
It is exciting to see the creative spirit of people who are working to make the world a better place. I does give one hope!
Best regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 5. September 2008 @ 22:45
I enjoyed reading your post about the garden in a city. Victory gardens used to be a household word. Now it’s a piece of history. Every generation of my family ate from the food off their land till it got to my parent’s time. My mom never had a garden. The mega grocery stores started building around every corner and the charm of gardening was lost and along with it valuable passed down tricks of the art.
Unfortunately, a city garden would never be doable here. Our EPA guidelines and new storm water run off ordinances would make it cost prohibitive. Do you ever feel like too many rules can make things worse? They outlawed wind generators because they were blocking the scenic views. Our town wanted to do landscaped medians in the roadway instead of concrete dividers–but can’t due to so many rules. So sometimes, common sense is muddied by mountains of bureaucracy.
It’s good to see that a garden can be built in the middle of a city and bring so much joy to many. As you described, it took a lot of work to design and accomplish. It is pretty and love the market atmosphere. It puts everyone in a good mood.
Comment by Anna — 6. September 2008 @ 07:42
Yay, yay, and yay again for SF! I wish I still lived there so I could have come to the grand opening. I’m definitely going next time I visit. I’m really hopeful that it will inspire other cities to do something similar. I hope that the garden is treated respectfully and not used as a trash heap or bathroom. Go SF Victory Garden!!!
- Karen
http://greenwalks.wordpress.com
Comment by Karen — 7. September 2008 @ 05:49
Hi Anna,
I bet that despite everything you personally make a difference in your community. With your love of plants and great spirtit, you are a positive infuence!
Very Best Regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 7. September 2008 @ 23:00
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your comments!
Final Harvest is the 21st, so this will not be a permanant display, but it has received a huge interest from all kinds of people. Things are happening for the good! Mayor Newsome announced that the city now has a food policy.Victory Gardens will be all over the city now. The produce will be used in schools for children’s lunches, seniors and other programs. Your wonderful blog
http://greenwalks.wordpress.com
has so many wonderful examples of things like this!
Thanks so much Karen. You are just great.
Very Best Regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 7. September 2008 @ 23:06
Wow, Philip! It’s been so long since I’ve gone into the City, I had no idea! How WONDERFUL! Thank you so much for sharing this rich resource and inspirtation with us! I will be passing this link along to friends in the City–who may or may not know of this,central as it is. I love San Francisco so much–always cutting edge.
Thanks for bringing her to us. Kathryn xoxo
Comment by Kathry/plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com — 7. September 2008 @ 23:08
Hi Kathryn,
I thought of you so much being here at the Victory Garden.
Your posts on
www.plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com
speak to this in your life affirming posts called:
Return to Cleveland Community Garden
and
Seedfolks
The Victory garden istallation day needed 200 volunteers. They had over 500!
Talk about good things from the ground up!
Something else that was wonderful. The waterfront road below my house was closed for a day and was packed with people on bikes. So many children having a great time on little scooters,too. I just goes to show that people are yearing to get together and join together in celebrating, healing and preserving our planet in many different ways like planting a victory garden, riding bikes instead of cars, and knitting scarves for the children in Pakistan such as in your recent post on
www.plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com
Join Kathryn and others to make a difference with your two hands!
:)Yay!
Warm Regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 7. September 2008 @ 23:40
Hi Phil!
This is a victory for everyone! Loved reading your post.
Patrick
Comment by patrick — 8. September 2008 @ 12:19
Thanks for the great pics and details. We couldn’t go this year but really wanted to see what they were up to down there in SF. VICTORY GARDENS RULE!!
Comment by Shibaguyz — 9. September 2008 @ 21:13
You guys rock. Your own Victory Garden inspires so many people. You are vanguards in the movement, and are great fun,too!
Best Regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 9. September 2008 @ 23:32
Hi, Philip–Thanks for the link back to the Scarf Initiative! It looks like we are up to two dozen scarves so far!!
And thank you for your kind words. So appreciated. Warmly, Kathryn xoxo
Comment by Kathry/plantwhateverbringsyoujoy.com — 11. September 2008 @ 04:50
Thanks for another wonderful post.
Happy Birthday.
Comment by Mother Nature's Garden — 11. September 2008 @ 16:08
Thank you! my blog is not showing on Blotanical right now. Hopefully this is a temporary thing!
Thanks everybody for the birthday wishes!
Comment by admin — 11. September 2008 @ 23:33
I am always motivated by your posts - What once would have been considered a way-out idea is now very timely economically, environmentally and politically. I think your post is worth a mention to my local municipality which is always promoting its gardencentricity , if you don’t mind, Philip. Hope you had a lovely birthday celebration.
Comment by Shauna Hamilton — 18. September 2008 @ 03:11
Hi Shauna!
I am back up on Blotanical and writing new posts! I will post these soon.
Thank you for your comments! Your thoughts are beautifully expressed. One of the great things about Blotanical is that we get to meet wonderful people like you!
What is so interesting to me is that this demonstration garden has created such excitement in the public. I can well imagine similar programs “taking root” in other cities and regions.
Warm regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 18. September 2008 @ 14:23
what an awesome project.
would like to invite you over to join “The Great blog Land Seed Exchange”
at: www.gardengoose.blogspot.com
Comment by Tina — 19. September 2008 @ 05:31
Found you on Blotanical Philip. Really interesting post
Comment by Sue — 19. September 2008 @ 15:50
[…] Editor’s note added later:To read more about this garden and see additional photos, see Philip’s Garden Blog. […]
Pingback by In San Francisco, replacing lawn with lettuce | csmonitor.com — 3. October 2008 @ 00:11
Hi Phillip! Found you through Blotanical too. I lived in SF and surrounds for almost 30 years before moving down here 11 years ago. It is so cool to see the gardens at the plaza, wow! I went to school near there and in those days, it was just full of sleeping homeless people.
I look forward to keeping up with your blog.
Comment by Anne — 5. November 2008 @ 20:51
Hi Anne!
Yes, I was pleased it has improved!
Nice to meet you!
Regards,
Philip
Comment by admin — 5. November 2008 @ 21:26