When the farmers of Blueberry Park objected to a city plan to redistribute the land used for community gardens – a little bit of agricultural reform, Bremerton style – former City Councilman Mike Shepherd had a good idea:

The city owns lots of property that is currently doing little more than collecting beer bottles and fast food wrappers. Small, archipelagos of land that would be perfect for sunflowers. It doesn’t take much to make a community garden. Why not let people use the land to grow their carrots and tomatoes, and if the city needs it back, it can take it back?

Shephard’s idea didn’t go anywhere, but its time has come.

As shown in this week’s story on P-patches, the demand for gardens is outpacing supply. And it isn’t like the city is giving them away, there is a charge – although maybe they should be free.

Beyond giving people a source of organic vegetables, the gardens help bring neighbors together and instills a feeling of community.