When I think of gardening, I get images of snapdragons. And towering stalks of corn. And twisting pumpkin vines.
And weeds, of course.
I don’t think of bickering and nasty signs and talk of bylaws and threats of lawsuits.
But that is happening at the Bear Creek Community Garden. Here are some maps of the Bear Creek Regional Park and the garden, created using www.FlashEarth.com
Recently, the Bear Creek Garden Association kicked out a member, 84-year-old Joe Orell. It was just the third time a member has been ejected since the community garden was created in 1986.
The garden association says Orell, a member nearly 15 years, was tossed out because he broke rules about watering his plot – he used a hose instead of a bucket.
He says his crime was challenging the authority of Char Nymann, founder of the garden and president of its association.
Orell appealed his ouster to the El Paso County Parks Advisory Board to intervene. It declined. Now, Orell is considering an appeal to the El Paso County Commission and maybe even a lawsuit.
Here is some basic information on the garden:
Where: Bear Creek Regional Park, near 21st and West Rio Grande streets. 104 plots.
Dues: $80 per season for a 20-by-40-foot plot, plus a $25 deposit. Water and roto-tilling are included.
Rules: Organic gardening; no chemical fertilizers. Hand-watering only.
More info: Call Char Nymann at 473-5827. In mid-November, the garden will open to register new gardeners for 2009.
Char breaks her own rules: although she uses organic fertilizer she allows others to use Miracle Grow. One member told me she has been using if for 21 years. They advertise the garden as being organic, not mostly organic, and give away produce to unsuspecting takers such as the zoo. They tell you to buy organic plants and seeds, yet Char does not. People have a right to know what they are eating. This is a very serious matter. The most appalling yelling from Char across the garden makes one wonder if she understands her rule to remain civil at all times.