This spring of 2012 marks the third consecutive year that the Houston Chapter of the All African People’s Development and Empowerment Project (AAPDEP) has tilled, planted and cultivated the Fifth Ward Community Garden and Food Co-op.
Although a year-long drought challenged last year’s crop, the Garden, nevertheless, yielded a tremendous amount of vegetables that are still being harvested as the new crop grows.
Our irrigation plans of last year did not include the possibility of a drought.
Since then, however, two 50 gallon water barrels were donated to us, which we keep full at all times, mostly with rain water.
In addition, we are doing research on what it will take to make a nearby water well active again.
We changed the physical look of this year’s garden.
We made a semi-greenhouse structure for the tomato and cucumber plants.
This year’s crop also includes:
1. Large leaf mustard greens
2. Zucchini
3. Yellow and green squash
4. Corn
5. Purple hull peas
6. Crowder peas
7. Cucumbers
8. Tomatoes
9. Peppers (bell, jalapeno, banana, and cayenne)
10. Collard greens
11. Kale
12. An additional watermelon patch
13. Okra
According to head gardener, Jody Burnett, “We’ll definitely see the difference with the new greenhouse structure.”
Thus far, the veggies are coming up at breakneck speed.
UHURU!
