Daily News

A petite crop of vegetables, fruits and grain is thriving at Heritage Park at Kentucky Avenue and Orange Street. Indian corn, okra, peppers, kumquats and eggplant provide an unexpected agricultural filigree to the slice of city property.

Towering corn stalks also ring the perimeter of a circular planter in the parking lot at Lakeland’s main library, and an assortment of ornamental peppers can be seen near the entrance to the Lakeland Electric building on Lemon Street.

City horticulturist bill Koen said he started installing food-bearing plants at Hollis Garden more than a decade ago, and in recent years he has expanded the approach into other city properties.

“Many of these ornamental vegetables are just as pretty as flowers in the landscape,” Koen said. “They’re no harder to do than annual flowers — petunias or pansies or whatever.”

Koen selects strains known for their visual appeal. the corn growing at the public sites is “Indian” corn, defined by kernels of red and purple rather than yellow or white.

The orderly plot at Heritage Park shimmers with contrasting hues and textures. Several rows of corn shoot up to 8 feet or higher, their purple-and-green tassels resembling braided silk. Knee-high okra plants create a low-level canopy of broad, palmate leaves.

Lower still, a colony of pepper plants dangle their squiggly, reddish-orange fruit. in large pots surrounding the garden, a surging grape vine and a miniature kumquat tree supplement the bounty.

Heritage Park, the smallest of Lakeland’s roughly 50 parks, was created several years ago in the southeast corner of the parking lot for Heritage Plaza, a three-story office building. the wedge-shaped park features three flag poles and a ground plaque honoring those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Koen, a city employee for 41 years, said he planted the crops at Heritage Park in the tradition of the “victory gardens” Americans tended in their yards and in public spaces during World War I and World War II.

The corn at Heritage Park and the library is producing ears and should be ready for harvest in about two weeks, Koen said.

The peppers and okra already appear nearly ripe.

“We don’t actually harvest them to sell,” Koen said. “We might give them away, but it’s not a money-making proposition.

Basically, they’re just being grown for the beauty of the plants.”

Koen said his staff uses organic methods to control caterpillars and other predators, ensuring the produce is safe to eat.

Though the city doesn’t invite passersby to pick the fruits and vegetables, Koen said he has noticed a certain amount of public harvesting.

Koen said he maintains a schedule of replacing food plants throughout the year. in the fall and winter, the city plants ornamental cabbages, Swiss chard and kale.

City librarian Lisa Lilyquist said the ring of corn in the main library’s parking lot has generated plenty of comments from patrons.

“They’ve been receptive to the idea of the corn and vegetables out there,” Lilyquist said. “One of our staff persons said it gives new meaning to ‘crop circles.’ “

[ Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Join his discussion of books at www.facebook.com/ledgerlit. ]

LAKELAND | the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye, and it’s not in Oklahoma but in downtown Lakeland.

A petite crop of vegetables, fruits and grain is thriving at Heritage Park at Kentucky Avenue and Orange Street. Indian corn, okra, peppers, kumquats and eggplant provide an unexpected agricultural filigree to the slice of city property.

Towering corn stalks also ring the perimeter of a circular planter in the parking lot at Lakeland’s main library, and an assortment of ornamental peppers can be seen near the entrance to the Lakeland Electric building on Lemon Street.

City horticulturist bill Koen said he started installing food-bearing plants at Hollis Garden more than a decade ago, and in recent years he has expanded the approach into other city properties.

“Many of these ornamental vegetables are just as pretty as flowers in the landscape,” Koen said. “They’re no harder to do than annual flowers — petunias or pansies or whatever.”

Koen selects strains known for their visual appeal. the corn growing at the public sites is “Indian” corn, defined by kernels of red and purple rather than yellow or white.

The orderly plot at Heritage Park shimmers with contrasting hues and textures. Several rows of corn shoot up to 8 feet or higher, their purple-and-green tassels resembling braided silk. Knee-high okra plants create a low-level canopy of broad, palmate leaves.

Lower still, a colony of pepper plants dangle their squiggly, reddish-orange fruit. in large pots surrounding the garden, a surging grape vine and a miniature kumquat tree supplement the bounty.

Heritage Park, the smallest of Lakeland’s roughly 50 parks, was created several years ago in the southeast corner of the parking lot for Heritage Plaza, a three-story office building. the wedge-shaped park features three flag poles and a ground plaque honoring those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Koen, a city employee for 41 years, said he planted the crops at Heritage Park in the tradition of the “victory gardens” Americans tended in their yards and in public spaces during World War I and World War II.

The corn at Heritage Park and the library is producing ears and should be ready for harvest in about two weeks, Koen said.

The peppers and okra already appear nearly ripe.

“We don’t actually harvest them to sell,” Koen said. “We might give them away, but it’s not a money-making proposition.

Basically, they’re just being grown for the beauty of the plants.”

Koen said his staff uses organic methods to control caterpillars and other predators, ensuring the produce is safe to eat.

Though the city doesn’t invite passersby to pick the fruits and vegetables, Koen said he has noticed a certain amount of public harvesting.

Koen said he maintains a schedule of replacing food plants throughout the year. in the fall and winter, the city plants ornamental cabbages, Swiss chard and kale.

City librarian Lisa Lilyquist said the ring of corn in the main library’s parking lot has generated plenty of comments from patrons.

“They’ve been receptive to the idea of the corn and vegetables out there,” Lilyquist said. “One of our staff persons said it gives new meaning to ‘crop circles.’ “

[ Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Join his discussion of books at www.facebook.com/ledgerlit. ]

LAKELAND | the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye, and it’s not in Oklahoma but in downtown Lakeland.

A petite crop of vegetables, fruits and grain is thriving at Heritage Park at Kentucky Avenue and Orange Street. Indian corn, okra, peppers, kumquats and eggplant provide an unexpected agricultural filigree to the slice of city property.

Towering corn stalks also ring the perimeter of a circular planter in the parking lot at Lakeland’s main library, and an assortment of ornamental peppers can be seen near the entrance to the Lakeland Electric building on Lemon Street.

City horticulturist bill Koen said he started installing food-bearing plants at Hollis Garden more than a decade ago, and in recent years he has expanded the approach into other city properties.

“Many of these ornamental vegetables are just as pretty as flowers in the landscape,” Koen said. “They’re no harder to do than annual flowers — petunias or pansies or whatever.”

Koen selects strains known for their visual appeal. the corn growing at the public sites is “Indian” corn, defined by kernels of red and purple rather than yellow or white.

The orderly plot at Heritage Park shimmers with contrasting hues and textures. Several rows of corn shoot up to 8 feet or higher, their purple-and-green tassels resembling braided silk. Knee-high okra plants create a low-level canopy of broad, palmate leaves.

Lower still, a colony of pepper plants dangle their squiggly, reddish-orange fruit. in large pots surrounding the garden, a surging grape vine and a miniature kumquat tree supplement the bounty.

Heritage Park, the smallest of Lakeland’s roughly 50 parks, was created several years ago in the southeast corner of the parking lot for Heritage Plaza, a three-story office building. the wedge-shaped park features three flag poles and a ground plaque honoring those who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Koen, a city employee for 41 years, said he planted the crops at Heritage Park in the tradition of the “victory gardens” Americans tended in their yards and in public spaces during World War I and World War II.

The corn at Heritage Park and the library is producing ears and should be ready for harvest in about two weeks, Koen said.

The peppers and okra already appear nearly ripe.

“We don’t actually harvest them to sell,” Koen said. “We might give them away, but it’s not a money-making proposition.

Basically, they’re just being grown for the beauty of the plants.”

Koen said his staff uses organic methods to control caterpillars and other predators, ensuring the produce is safe to eat.

Though the city doesn’t invite passersby to pick the fruits and vegetables, Koen said he has noticed a certain amount of public harvesting.

Koen said he maintains a schedule of replacing food plants throughout the year. in the fall and winter, the city plants ornamental cabbages, Swiss chard and kale.

City librarian Lisa Lilyquist said the ring of corn in the main library’s parking lot has generated plenty of comments from patrons.

“They’ve been receptive to the idea of the corn and vegetables out there,” Lilyquist said. “One of our staff persons said it gives new meaning to ‘crop circles.’ “

[ Gary White can be reached at gary.white@theledger.com or 863-802-7518. Join his discussion of books at www.facebook.com/ledgerlit. ]

Corn and Other Food Plants Flourish in Public Spaces