The city best known for its floral masterpieces on sweeping plantation grounds and prize-winning gardens hidden behind Battery mansions might be missing the point. It’s time to rethink the Charleston garden and The Bogarden wants your help.
They weren’t the first to think it, but C of C graduate Fritz Stine and senior Matt Gregory were the first to break ground on an empty lot collecting trash at the corner of Rutledge and Bogard (hence The Bogarden). Just last weekend they threw a fundraising party to raise awareness and funds for the project.
“We just called the owner and worked out some details. He was very supportive,” says Stine of the initial step the pair took a few months back.
With the aid of volunteer friends and neighbors they set to work cleaning up debris, mulching the ground and plotting out a garden.
“There’s never been a ‘bad’ work day. The people that come out want to get their hands dirty,” says Stine.
That communal element has been the most rewarding aspect for the duo so far. They want as many people as possible to take initiative in The Bogarden’s future and welcome anyone interested in a plot.
Check  out the blog at thebogarden.blogspot.com for more information.
As the 2010 growing season starts up expect more than the southern garden standbys.
“We’re trying to use a perma-cultural approach where we have a lot of vegetables, some social space and perennial flowers along the edges. It can be functional, attractive and comfortable,” says Stine.
The functionality of the garden was important from the beginning, and while many people might not immediately associate veggies with an urban garden, it’s a growing trend across the country.
“It’s something we’d really like to see in Charleston: farming and even selling food right in the city,” says Gregory.
He holds a photo of an urban garden in Pittsburgh that served as inspiration.
“There’s a really cool movement in the country right now in support of young farmers. There’s a nonprofit called The Greenhorns (thegreenhorns.net) that are making a documentary about young people who are just like us, they like to hang out and listen to music but they’re farmers too.”
The concept isn’t a lofty ideal; it’s a growing possibility. Even in a city as space-conscious as Charleston, old lots and overgrown backyards could be utilized to supplement diets and trim the cost of store-bought vegetables.
“We’ve been looking over this book, ‘The Backyard Homestead’; it talks about how much food you can grow in a very little space. All you need is innovation and dedication,” says Stine, sitting on the floor, measuring and labeling bags of seeds.
The dedication will be well worth it come time to harvest.
“We’ve got tons of tomatoes, lettuce and peppers. You will be able to taste how awesome this garden is.”