April 11, 2007

The Sunflower Project

The neighbourhood where I live is in transition. There are some interesting old warehouses, including the wonderful one where Housewerks is, and the two stadiums, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium for the Ravens. We are also in very close proximity to the University of Maryland professional schools, including Law, Medicine, Social Work and the teaching hospital.
However, we don't have a lot of public gardens. There is a sculpture garden down the boulevard, and one or two little front gardens (most are in the back). One night, when I was trying to go to sleep, I started thinking about what I could do to make the neighbourhood look a little brighter. I kept thinking about plantings, and Johnny Appleseed, and watering and logistics, and finally came up with the idea of planting sunflowers. Hence, the Sunflower Project.
I thought that as I walked Connor, I could plant some seeds pretty easily and then throughout the summer keep an eye on them as they grew. I think I will plant them along some fences, and in empty lots that get a lot of sun and aren't too dusty. I want to plant them where there is some structure for them to lean against. I hope by planting these, I will bring a smile to someone's face and just help make the neighbourhood a little prettier. BP was giving away seeds, so a friend got me some, and then I bought a bunch of packets. Let's hope this works... Cross thumbs!

4 comments:

  1. What a fantastic idea Fairfax! It's a generous gesture, too. Keep us updated on the progress!

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  2. We've got a fence along Hamburg that would be perfect. Let's plant!

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  3. Excellent idea. Sunflowers are very eye catching and so cheerful.

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  4. Oh I LOVE this idea. The people in Philly were up to something kind of along the same lines. Farmadelphia they wanted to call it.

    http://www.inhabitat.com/2006/03/05/farmadelphia

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