Step 2: Cutting up the driveway...

We rented a circular asphalt cutting saw, for the afternoon, and scored the driveway. From the local hardware store, the saw cost $45 to rent for the day, plus a fee for the wear on the blade upon return.



It was a very dusty and loud process. Our neighbors were immediately intrigued about what we were doing. Some seemed excited, and told us long lost stories of gardening with their parents or grandparents, but most felt that the process was too loud and dirty for a small urban garden.

As new home owners, in a neighborhood with primarily low income renters, we were concerned from the beginning about the issues of gentrification and our footprint in the neighborhood. We did not find a simple answer, however, continuous dialogue among ourselves and with our neighbors seemed to be an important component for us in the neighborhood.