Garden Creation Day with TLC Professional Landscaping

Saturday, June 11th, 8:30am: Volunteer residents from River Park Towers have been out for an hour, edging the soon-to-be garden. Hot apple fritters arrive from the Western Fair Market, with the Veggie City crew trailing close behind. We are finally at the stage where we are digging in the ground, creating the gardens that we have been wishing for since April. We look over to the parking lot and see the truck pulling in. It is huge! Out comes the TLC landscape crew, one-by-one. Then, another truck arrives with more men! Eight crew members and Tim, manager of the landscape crew are here to rescue. They bring all their heavy equipment, including two trailers and a mini-tractor. First they cut the sod and then the crew teaches the Veggie City staff and volunteers how to roll it up and wheel it into the trailers. Speed is of the essence. The rototillers then come out of hiding and two crew members push the heavy machinery in rows, trudging up the newly created garden. This process continues at each of the Veggie City resident gardens. The crew stops to take a  water break, enjoying some bagels and juice that residents like Teresa Wilson provide for all of the members on this hot summer day. Back to work they go, working up a sweat and sharing stories, tips and tricks with the Veggie City student employees. Crew members like Daryl, Jason and Ryan are particularly inspiring and funny and the students feel like part of the team, even riding in the trucks with the TLC crew. At the end of a very long 11 hour day, everyone is dirty and tired, but all smiles at the amazing work that has been accomplished on behalf of TLC for the Veggie City garden project. All of the resident gardens look fantastic! Next step: compost and then planting. A very warm and appreciative thank you to TLC and the crew for volunteering to make this project a success! We couldn't have done it without you!