Urban Gardeners Gear Up for Spring Planting

Casey and Melody are two South Hill residents that are testing their green thumbs this year with an urban garden in their back yard.  Casey and Melody want to move  towards being more self-sustaining and have plans to can what they grow, make their own compost and use rain barrels to water their garden.

"We want to know where our food comes from and develop the skill sets that our grandparents took for granted," Casey said. 

The couple has dedicated a large portion of their yard to their urban garden and plan to grow a wide variety of things from carrots and potatoes to blackberries and melons.

"We have read lots of urban gardening books and are learning as we go," Melody said, "but maybe we'll inspire other newbies."

Two of three rain barrels Casey has set up to collect water for the garden.

Melody planted seedlings in pots made from newspaper that can be put directly into the ground.