News travels slow here in North Adams. At least, it does to me. I frequently find out about events long after they’ve happened, or learn of big changes on the eve of their occurrence, when months have passed and the voting and planning and finger-pointing has died down. So it made sense, in a way, that I hadn’t heard about the urban gardens of North Adams, one of which is sprouting up just a few steps from my own front door.
My news source? , a blog kept by local business . There, Deb Burns reports that a group called has hatched a plan to replace petunias with potatoes:
[S]ix or seven food gardens with tomatoes, peppers, and more will replace standard flower beds throughout downtown North Adams, with the mayor’s approval.
The vegetable gardens will belong to the community, Bob [Hoquette, a representative from REACH] said. What happens at harvest time? He shrugged. “We’ll see. If you’re hungry you can pick a tomato.”
My first thought, after Wow! That’s so cool!, was How timely. I’d just cracked open last night, and was feeling inspired and maybe just devilish enough to head out on a renegade mission to nestle zucchini plants among the weeds in some abandoned lots and forlorn corners of public parks. Of course, someone’s already beaten me to the punch — and legally, to boot.
Click through to for, well, the full story (with pictures), and a quick and accurate portrait of the history of our weird little town.