Placing plastic at the Artists' Garden

Last fall, Learning Center partners in urban food system projects in Southeast Chicago installed season extension infrastructure – plastic hoop “low tunnels” where plants can survive cold spells in fall and early spring. Our partners at the South Chicago Art Center erected their low tunnel in the Artists’ Garden over beds of lush greens in late September. By mid-October, it was the Bush Community Garden’s turn. Both are part of an emerging coalition, building their local food system with Learning Center liaison, Thea Carlson.

The Bush Neighborhood on Chicago’s Southeast side inhabits an isolated pocket of deteriorating houses and vacant lots near the sprawling emptiness that was U.S. Steel – whose property occupies the lakefront to their east. Bush residents are African American, Latino, and White, joined in their experience of low pay and few jobs, polluted landscapes and paltry food options.

With cordless drills borrowed from next door, garden volunteers tack the endframes onto side rails that run along the outer edges of two garden beds. The low tunnel will cover two 3-foot wide beds that run 30 feet with a path in between. It stands about 3.5 feet tall at its peak, with small doors in either end. By lunch, it’s ready for the plastic hoops and sheeting that will trap the sun’s heat inside. After completing the tunnels, everyone gathers as Thea explains venting and watering the low tunnel during the remaining mild weather of the fall.

In 2009, our partners in South Chicago plan to install “high tunnel” hoophouses, to provide 1800 square feet or more of sun-warmed growing space for year-round food production. Next steps will also include working with small and medium sized independent grocery stores to help them secure access to more and better fresh and healthy foods.

To learn more about our Urban Initiative, visit www.learngrowconnect.org/urban