Muddy flats

The Growing Matters Garden is located on what seems to be some darn good black soil of Kalamazoo's old claim to fame, celery. The mucky, muddy flats are a great starting point for a vegetable garden. While a bit compacted and water-rich, it is much easier to fix than soils high in clay or sand. Today's focus was on the compost piles and spring cleanup - two things perfect for Saturdays in April...

They had three different groups out for the first volunteer workday of the season at their location on N. Westnedge. I had gotten there with two groups overlapping - it was picture time and they thought I was their photographer.

One of the first groups was a high school class on their way to Peace Jam. I wasn't familiar with the event, but I should have! Western was involved, along with our Student Association.

The other morning group was a fraternity taking part in a volunteer operation through Spring Into the Streets.