Lem was skeptical when his family moved to Lower Price Hill a few years ago. His grandfather passed on a passion for gardening, and he was accustomed to living in a house with a larger yard. Lem’s green thumb had even earned him the nickname “The Bush Doctor” amongst his family.

Soon after moving in, Lem noticed a community garden across the street from his home and made a point to attend as many workdays as possible. He is now a regular in the community gardens and is turning his small backyard into a home garden. “This is my sanctuary,” he said while showing off new raised beds, which he’s already filling with vegetables, herbs, and other plants.

Lem is also finishing his first semester in the horticulture program at Cincinnati State Technical & Community College.

A metal rake lays in a pile of dirt.
A man with a beard and a woman bend over trays of small plants.
A row of rainbow chard is planted in a raised garden bed.