Okay, I feel like every week I say “that was the best week ever!” and I know it sounds totally cliche at this point, but honestly? This place just keeps getting better. Week after week. It’s like watching a work of art that’s constantly in motion – the plants are growing, the projects are evolving, and even the people keep surprising me.

And let me tell you, Saturday was absolutely one of those days.

A Slow Start That Turned Into Magic

Shay and I rolled up to the garden a few minutes after 10 AM, expecting our usual crew of early birds. Instead? Just us and the most perfectly cleaned-up garden space I’d seen in weeks. Bill had been working his magic over the past few days, and man, did it show. The whole place looked absolutely fantastic. Thanks again Bill 🙌

We dove straight into harvest mode because – wow – our plants have been busy. The tomatoes were practically begging to be picked, and don’t even get me started on the beans situation again. Our trellis arch is completely taken over by beans now, towering at least 9 feet tall. It’s like something out of Jack and the Beanstalk!

The Perfect Weather Window

Here’s the thing about Michigan weather – you never know what you’re gonna get. But Saturday? Overcast, breezy, and absolutely perfect working weather. No blazing sun trying to melt us into the mulch, just comfortable cloud cover and that little breeze that almost makes you forget you’re doing manual labor. Almost.

Shay was working on harvesting the pepper and tomatoes while I tackled the other side of the Giving Garden. We were making good progress, but let’s be honest – 47 pounds of harvest is a lot for two people to handle alone!

Community Rallies to the Rescue

That’s when we did what any sensible community gardeners would do – we threw up a quick Facebook video calling for backup. And guess what? Our people showed up! Around 11:30, Jeff arrived with his four-legged supervisor (that gorgeous dog of his) and jumped right into harvest mode.

Unexpected Treasures and New Faces

One of my favorite moments was when a neighbor stopped by offering us free firewood. When she found out about our free produce program, her whole face lit up. She left with a big bag of fresh vegetables and the kind of smile that reminds us why the months of 90° days are worth it.

We also had a couple neighbors stop by the U-Pick Garden and grab some goodies. We gave them tours and showed them the rest of the property. I’ll say it every time – there’s something magical about watching people discover what we’re growing right here in their backyard.

The Numbers Tell a Story

Here’s what blew my mind about Saturday’s harvest:

• Total harvest: 47.25 pounds!
• Giving Garden: 41 pounds
• Private rental beds: 6.25 pounds (shout out to Lynne!)

Breaking it down further:

• Tomatoes: 26.25 pounds (including 11.25 from the rental bed)
• Beans: 7 pounds of pure variety – purple ones, fat ones, green ones
• Melons: 4.75 pounds of summer sweetness
• Squash, peppers, ground cherries, and even some surprise kale

A Small Infrastructure Win

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference. Jeff and I tackled that parking lot drain that had been giving us trouble – we’d wrapped it with fabric around this time last year, but it was starting to clog up again. After hanging out and chatting with folks in the shelter area, Jeff decided it was time to clear it out. Together we cleaned it out and rewrapped it with fresh landscaping fabric. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s the kind of practical problem-solving that keeps our garden functioning smoothly when the next big storm rolls through.

Looking Ahead: Rain Gardens and Big Dreams

We spent some time by the road brainstorming about a potential rain garden the city might install at the front of our property. Picture this: a group of gardeners standing around in the parking lot, gesturing wildly at each other, getting increasingly animated about native plants and water management systems. We probably looked absolutely ridiculous to everyone driving by on 9 Mile – just a bunch of wackjobs pointing at dirt and waving our hands around like we’re conducting an invisible orchestra. But hey, this is how the best garden projects start! Someone has a crazy idea, we all get excited about it, and before you know it we’re knee-deep in another amazing community project.

Where to Find Our Harvest

Here’s something important: due to ongoing construction making our usual setup tricky, we’re taking our harvest over to our South Warren Community Garden. Their harvest day and produce stand runs Sundays from 10 AM to 2 PM – it’s safer access for our senior community members, and hey – it’s a great excuse for you to check out the newest member of the Urban Seed family!

The Real Victory

By the end of the day, more than 15 people had stopped by to volunteer, visit, or just hang out. Remember, this started with just Shay and me standing in an empty garden at 10 AM. That’s the power of community, folks.

Join Us Next Saturday!

Our weekly garden parties happen every Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Eastpointe Community Garden (16425 Nine Mile Road). No experience needed, no sign-up required, just show up and dig in. The soil doesn’t judge, and neither do we!

And if you missed us this week, remember you can always swing by the South Warren Community Garden on Sundays to grab fresh produce and see what we’re growing there too.

Until next week, keep growing!