South Melbourne Food Forest - 4th Planting Day

The planting event will recognize Indigenous Peoples Day - Indigenous Florida communities, native plants, traditional seeds and food systems Overview Help grow the Jackson Street Food Forest! Join us to build and fill garden beds and grow a greener, more resilient community. Rooted in Community: Jackson Street Food Forest Planting DAY 4! The planting event will recognize Indigenous Peoples Day. The educational component may incorporate Indigenous Florida communities, native plants, traditional seeds, food systems, and historical context. Continue what we've started! Join Little Growers Inc. as we continue to grow our first community food forest and restoration site in South Melbourne. Previous planting days were April 4th, 24th and June 27th, and this will be our fourth planting day. We are transforming 1.5 acres of vacant grass into a thriving food and pollinator-friendly oasis. This project is a bold step toward food sovereignty in an area currently classified by the USDA as a "food desert." Our goal is to turn this lot into a community asset that feeds our neighbors for generations to come, while reducing flooding and adding shade. Come as You Are: All Skill Levels Welcome! Whether you are a master gardener or have never touched a shovel, we want you there. This event is a community gathering designed for everyone! • Low Pressure: You don't have to stay for the whole event! Whether you have 3 hours or just 30 minutes, your presence is helpful. • Watch & Learn: Not ready to dig in? That’s perfectly fine! You are welcome to show up just to watch, learn about food forests, and see how the restoration process works. • Family Friendly: Kids are welcome! Please let us know if you are bringing small children so we can prepare age-appropriate activities. Our Vision for Phase 1 The restoration of this site is an ambitious multi-step process. Phase 1 includes: • 16 raised garden beds for fresh annual vegetables and herbs. • 70 fruit trees in a diverse community orchard. • Florida-native plantings to attract pollinators and aid in stormwater absorption. What We’ll Be Doing on October 10th On this fourth planting day, we will focus on two major milestones: • Building: Create an in-ground Three Sisters planting consisting of corn, beans, and squash. • Planting: Filling and planting the newer, currently unfinished beds and planting 20 remaining fruit trees • Replanting: Replant the existing food-production beds with crops appropriate for Fall and Winter production • Maintenance: Weeding the native planting area • Relocating: Relocating native plants near Mr. Jackson’s planned front-door walkway. • Learning: Providing gardening and food-growing education to volunteers and community member Volunteer Perks & Take-Home Gifts ! As a thank you for your help, every volunteer (including those who just come to learn!) can choose one of the following to take home: • A fruit tree cutting (likely elderberry or mulberry) • A seed pack (likely pigeon pea, radish, butterfly pea) • Fresh Herbs (likely Oregano or Rosemary) The Details • Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (please sign up for a 2 hour shift at checkout) • Volunteer Hours: We provide signatures for Bright Futures and other community service requirements. • What to Bring: A reusable water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat. We have tools and gloves, but it's helpful to bring your own gloves and shovels in case we don't have enough for everyone. • We Provide: Cold water refills, light snacks, shade, and seating for breaks. Support the Forest: Tool Donations 🛠️ Please let us know if you have any of the following to lend or donate: • Wheelbarrow(s) • Large pointed shovels • trowels/hand shovels • pitch forks • hard rake • post hole diggers • hoses and/or hose reels • tarps • Tool shed • hand pruners • shears • pruning saw Register today and help us grow a resilient future for South Melbourne!