Artist Chad Brady works on a mural he designed on a brick and cinderblock wall behind on of The Salvation Army temporary residences on Mt. Vernon Avenue. LOUISE KRAFFT 2015
Construction has begun on the Salvation Army’s first urban garden in the metro area. Nearly 100 volunteers from Fannie Mae started work on Tuesday afternoon, April 28, at the Salvation Army Alexandria on Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Funding for the planned garden space came from a $40,000 grant from Rebuilding Together Alexandria.
The garden, designed by Anacostia-based nonprofit DC Urban Greens, features two 80-ft. growing tunnels, trellises, a pollinator bed and compost bin, flowering plants, blueberry shrubs, small trees and lots of vegetables. Initial plantings include strawberries, lettuce, eggplant, kale, collards and cucumbers. When ready, The Salvation Army will use the vegetables as a supplement to its food pantry program.