Rad Urban Farming: Backyard Benefits

For 11 families in Lexington, sacrificing a portion of their yard – 200 or 300 square feet, or more – isn't much of a sacrifice when the payout is a thriving garden, fresh vegetables and minimal upkeep.

The biggest benefit? Less grass.

"I like the idea of growing food instead of grass," said Rad Urban Farmers member Kristen Reed.

Started in spring 2009, Charlie Radoslovich's Rad Urban Farmers (RUF) brings the idea of local food and farming into the backyards of Lexington and Arlington residents.

Members give a Radoslovich access to their yards, where he grows a garden and plants, nurtures and harvests crops. In return, members get shares in RUF's Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, which weekly averages about five pounds of vegetables.

What isn't allotted to member families is sold by Radoslovich each week at the Lexington Farmers' Market – after Radoslovich makes his way up the Minuteman Bikeway with a trailer in tow carting about 200 to 250 pounds of produce.

Reed heard about RUF in spring 2009, and after paying a membership fee and for a soil test, Radoslovich created a 200-square-foot garden in a shady part of her property below her Lowell Street home perched uphill. Members also pay for water use and startup costs like fences or irrigation systems where needed.

"I was really interested, mostly because I love gardening," Reed said. "Food and local food are very important to me."

The garden has neat rows of Jericho lettuce and bell peppers growing, and earlier in the season snow peas and spinach thrived there. Fall will bring a crop of garlic to the small tier of land.

The biggest plus, Reed said, is having less grass. She also enjoys the educational benefit her daughter, age 7, and son, age 4, get from seeing the vegetables grow.

"The kids loving watching the garden grow," she said. "They love getting the deliveries, and will say, 'These are Charlie's vegetables.'"

Radoslovich, who taught in Belmont for three years after moving to Arlington in 2003, says he enjoys interacting with the families, and the chance to teach the children about growing. He also envisions creating a close community bond between members, and outdoor eduction with children and families.

For Reed, her favorite part is having less grass. It's also nice to have a garden – but not the work of having a garden, she said. She sees no drawbacks to being a RUF member.

"I haven't had time with the kids to do my own garden," she said. "It's really exciting to have a garden and watch it grow, especially one I don't have to take care of."

Derek Moody, who lives on South Rindge Avenue, echoes Reed's sentiments about turning over a portion of his lawn to the function of growing food. The family has its own garden, and nearby is a 300-square-foot RUF plot started by Radoslovich.

"We have young children, it's important for them to see where food comes from," he said.

In a sunny spot, vines of yellow-orange sungold tomatoes are numerous, and bell peppers, eggplant and basil are cropping up.

Moody, who is treasurer of the Lexington Farm Coalition, said his family is interested in the environmental impact of local farming, and noted that historically Lexington has been a farming community.

"It's good maintaining that use of the land," he said. "We're in the opinion that grass is not the way nature intended it – not having a huge lawn is a better use."

Moody says his CSA shares mean not having to buy vegetables at the grocery store during the summer months. What lands on the family's table comes from his backyard and those of other members.

"Obviously local food is much more fresh," he said. "That's a nice thing to have. We get to see it happening." 

Radoslovich has 11  "microfarms" in Lexington, and another four in backyards in Arlington. Eleven families in Belmont are members of the CSA, but do not have property to offer to farm produce.

Next year, Radoslovich hopes to expand the program – which currently has 7 people on a wait list – and hire an assistant grower to help with the work. In total, he farms 1/4-acre of land throughout the RUF territory.

"People love to utilize their property for something other than what goes into maintaining a lawn," he said. "This is something I have a passion for."