Fuchsia Freedom Garden in Jackson Ward springs forward with growth
Over the last decade, Jackson Ward has been on a comeback. The historic African American neighborhood was physically and economically separated from its surroundings by the construction of Interstates 95 and 64 in the 1950s.
Part of that renaissance is the return of nature, thanks to the Fuchsia Freedom Garden.
The garden is a community-rooted green space in Jackson Ward created by Brandon Fountain, who also goes by "Lord Bumblebee."
Since 2022, the space at 520 North Adams Street has been transformed from an ordinary tract of land into “a sanctuary of color, nourishment, and freedom.”
As Fountain noted of the title of the garden, “The Fuchsia is our theme flower. It’s a flower whose blooms are symbols of both resilience and joy, and [the name of the flower] sounds like ‘the future.’”
Fountain called the space “a vibrant gathering space for neighbors, pollinators, and friends alike” which includes native plants, fresh produce, plum and peach trees, and a number of picnic benches and places to rest, making it truly a community garden.
The space offers interesting objects as well, including old bricks fashioned into a hill, hollowed-out gourds turned into birdhouses, tree sculptures, and an old satellite dish covered in straw for a gazebo roof, that, as Fountain said, “is going to be a sanctuary part of the garden,” as well as seed and book libraries. The garden also airs satellite broadcasts of music from WRIR community radio (97.3 FM) every day as well.
On Thursday from 4-7 p.m., Fountain will host a “Spring Into the Fuchsia Freedom Garden Development Day.”
The community gathering will involve weeding on the outside perimeter, seeding and planting, and making rows of crops for a section called Jesse’s Garden, dedicated to Jessie Crumble Bullock, a student who came out to help in the garden while attending school at Richmond Alternative Learning Center (now called Richmond Success Academy) when Brandon first started developing the space.
“Unfortunately, a couple of years ago, Jesse was shot and killed in Gilpin Court, so we dedicated this section of the garden to him,” Fountain said.
For the Thursday communal event, Fountain suggests bringing supplies to help fortify and help with gardening, including soil, hand shovels, shears, gloves, pots, vegetable plants and, of course, flowers.
As a community garden, residents of Jackson Ward ultimately share the resources, using the fruits and vegetables for healthier and more cost-effective meals, but most importantly fostering a stronger sense of community.
Fountain even shares his produce, especially the tomatoes, with The Hive Bar and Grill on Marshall Street.
Fountain foresees Fuchsia Freedom Garden becoming a stronger and more vital part of the Jackson Ward neighborhood and its revitalization.
“Sometimes I plant things shallow, sometimes deep, sometimes I plant early, sometimes late,” he said. “So it’s like always. We learn together, we eat together, we regenerate together.”
