How does Natasha Nicholes's community gardening method outperform traditional gardening techniques?

Hi there! I’m Natasha Nicholes.

My approach with the Union Street Community Garden isn’t “better” in a technical sense than traditional gardening; it’s broader in purpose. I still use many standard techniques—raised beds, companion planting, starting from seed, composting, and learning about soil health. Those are all pretty classic.

Where it outperforms typical backyard gardening is in impact:

• It turns vacant double lots into productive space
• It centers community: neighbors build beds, plant, and learn together
• It changes narratives about Chicago’s South Side by showing visible good
• It teaches kids and adults—everything from worms and compost to chickens and pollinators

So the method is really: practical gardening + intentional community-building + storytelling (#WeSowWeGrow).

What part are you most interested in—designing the garden, organizing neighbors, or teaching through it?