Community Blueberries
The idea behind the community blueberries project is to begin establishing more perennial food sources in our neighborhoods. It’s also to build relationships among neighbors who are interested in this kind of thing. (Read the full history here.)
In January 2021, we first planted blueberry bushes in the Forest Heights and Newtown neighborhoods of Athens, GA. Each winter since, we’ve continued to maintain and plant more bushes in Forest Heights and its surrounding neighborhoods (Hampton Park and Knottingham). As of spring 2025, there were roughly 200 bushes planted among the neighborhoods.
In June 2021, we held the first Forest Heights Blueberry Festival to raise funds for bushes and maintenance. The festival has continued to grow each year with more attendees, new events and successful fundraising!
Soon it will be time for more planting!
If you’re interested in hosting a community blueberry patch in your front yard, or helping out on the next Blueberry Workday, sign up below. (If you signed up last year, you don’t need to do it again. We’ve got you!) If you need more information, keep reading below.
So What’s the Deal?
We aim to plant a few new patches of blueberry bushes in sunny spots along neighborhood streets each winter. Plus, we have to weed, mulch and fertilize the existing patches, and add deer protection and signs that explain: These blueberries are for anyone to pick and eat.
Why Blueberries?
For one thing, who doesn’t like blueberries? Plus, once they become established in an ideal location, they’re robust, prolific bushes. With relatively little work, they can provide food for years to come.
Someday, the project may expand to include other types of perennial foods and perhaps even other types of shared resources.
How Can People Get Involved?
Thanks for asking! We need two things:
Host yards with good street-side locations for planting, spread throughout the Oglethorpe Avenue neighborhoods between Alps Road and Loop 10. Hosts must be willing to let people step into their yards to pick and eat the blueberries. To date, about 70 homes have volunteered to host, but many do not have adequate sunlight or safe visibility. We’ve already used many of the best sites that have been offered. However, we’ll reconsider the entire list each year. So, if you think you have a good spot, and you’re willing, please fill out this form.
Volunteer workers. Each winter we aim to install new bushes and maintain the existing bushes in a single day. We’ve learned a lot the last few years, and we have equipment that speeds the process, but we still need lots of help from individuals and families in the community. In particular, we would love to work with neighborhood kids or teens. If you or a young person you know is willing to help, please fill out the volunteer form.
Read project updates
If you have any questions…
contact me, Bart King, at 706-340-3140 or Bart.King@4NewGrowth.com.
Thanks so much for your interest in this project. We’ll post updates as the weeks go by. Register your email at the bottom of the page to have news about this and other regenerator projects sent directly to your inbox.
Take care!
Bart and his daughter, Lucille