In the middle of Houston's Fifth Ward what had been an art car scrap yard has reverted to nature with a lot of help from organic gardeners, and tons of composted soil. They've named it "The Last Organic Outpost."
In operation eight years as a community garden, it's now attracting even more people since produce prices began climbing. Houston resident Joe Icet founded The Last Organic Outpost.
"The Last Organic Outpost is now a necessity," he said. "I think before maybe it was just a passion people were developing, but now I think it's an absolute necessity."
The cost for those who are able is time and labor, spent in planting, weeding, and more. The compensation is some fresh, organically grown vegetables.
"It's good food and good people," volunteer Chelsea Sallans said.
Saving money is a fringe benefit for some, but the seniors in the neighborhood rely on what's grown here.
Renella Broussard plans to sow some seeds and reap a harvest.
"I went to the store and one bell pepper is $1.49," she said, "so I think this garden is going to save a lot of people money, and, you eat healthy, so what more can you ask for?"
Two acres of vegetables grow on composted soil. There are 50 kinds of peppers, two dozen kinds of tomatoes, squash, eggplant, and more. And that's just the spring crop. In this time of rising food prices, this is one way to beat them. What were called "victory gardens" during World War II may be making a comeback.
