Mobbing the Front Strip, Permie Style

Before the crop mob

Sunday, November 3, 2013, marked a milestone in the history of SCUPS. It was our first hands on project together. We gathered at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery in Greenville, SC to pull up weeds, excavate hugelkultur beds, lay a sheet mulch, install edging made from recycled wine bottles and plastic, and construct an herb spiral with local field stones. The cafe kindly provided refreshments and sandwiches for the volunteers.

Work in progress

Many, many thanks to all those who came out to help. I am still pinching myself, awed that so many of you would give up your time to make this idea a reality. Thanks to those who started early, and stayed late, who came juggling kids and odd schedules, and to those who just stopped by to join in the fun. And to the team leaders of the Speedy Snails, Planting Pirates, Ready Recyclers and Team Bob (yes, Bob) who directed the various projects: Eliza, David, Connie and Nathaniel; and to Chad who worked long and hard to get us enough compost and wood chips for our needs. And thanks to you kids, who helped out, played among us and shared your enthusiasm and wonder. We are also grateful to Tradd and Olga Cotter for the generous donation of king stropheria spawn. We always have room for fungi!

And while I'm at it, the story of who we are and what we are becoming can be traced to two things. One is our shared passion for permaculture, community, conviviality and all things that grow. The other is Eliza Lord, our queen bee who managed to pull all of us together into one hive from so many separate spaces, putting arms and legs on those passions. And wings. Thanks, Eliza!

Phase 1 completed

 This is just the beginning, folks. We've got lots more planned for the coming year. Trellises, vines, vertical gardens and a tree shaped keyhole bed for year round nutritious greens, plus a kid friendly, barrel guild planting project for the picnic area. I hope you'll stick around. I am blessed to know all of you. If you would like to be on the email list for future SCUPS crop mobs and projects, please email me at sara.scups@gmail.com. Good soil to you!

-Sara Harding

View more photos here.