Galesburg couple raises bounty in a small space in Galesburg, Illinois
“I think raised beds are really good for people who live in smaller spaces or in apartments because you don’t have to dig into the soil and you can fit a lot into a small space,” Smith said.
By Alicia Olejniczak
For The Register-Mail
Jun 22, 2020
Excerpt:
Galesburg resident Samantha Smith and her boyfriend Josh Christianson have found ways to grow an abundance of food at their apartment complex with salvaged materials and patience.
The pandemic has led many to pursue their own personal hobbies, and Smith was one of those people. Working daily would have made it difficult to maintain the crops with necessary effort, but after having to work from home, Smith decided that now would be an ideal time to start a garden.
Gardening has always been a part of Smith’s life. Growing up, she had a family garden and retained many of the things she learned. She took a 10-week urban agriculture course at Knox College, but now, Smith has finally been able to see the fruits of her labor after starting her own garden from seeds.
“I think this is the first time where for an extended period of time I’m able to get my own hands in the dirt and watch things grow,” Smith said.
Space for outdoor activities can often be limited when it comes to living in an apartment. But Smith says she has been lucky that her landlord allowed her to construct several raised beds on the property in order to grow fruits and vegetables. Not only that, but he had been growing his own food as well.
