How Does Your Garden Grow?

Published: 4/13/2009 12:00:00 AM

Spring is here, and all across town people are digging in – into their gardens, that is. This year more people than ever are planning to grow their own produce in an effort to save money. With support of the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC), many low income people in our area are getting much needed help with their gardens. The CAC Green Thumb Program provides free seed and fertilizer, a gift that can reap an estimated $300 to $600 worth of produce.

How Does Your Garden Grow?
Alvin Nance

Spring is here, and all across town people are digging in – into their gardens, that is. This year more people than ever are planning to grow their own produce in an effort to save money.

With support of the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC), many low income people in our area are getting much needed help with their gardens. The CAC Green Thumb Program provides free seed and fertilizer, a gift that can reap an estimated $300 to $600 worth of produce.

And, Jim Cunningham, CAC community gardens manager, oversees 24 community gardens located throughout Knoxville, many of them at KCDC housing sites. Neighborhoods like Austin Homes, Cagle Terrace, Christenberry Heights, Love Towers, Montgomery Village and Lonsdale are already preparing their gardens for spring planting.

The gardens at Love Towers are particularly impressive. Several groups have even come out for tours so that they could see firsthand the great job that our residents have done.

Thanks to CAC for supporting a program that helps people put food on the table and enjoy some healthy outside activity in the process. Info: www.knoxcac.org; 865-546-3500.

KCDC’s mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, call (865) 403-1100 or visit http://www.kcdc.org.