Whether they are tending to an acre lot in western Howard County or beautifying a formerly vacant rowhouse lot in the city's Pigtown neighborhood, the winners of this year's Baltimore Sun garden contest have found that gardening strengthens friendships and connects neighbors.
Nancy Bellaire tends a one-acre garden in Woodbine that contains more than 1,000 plants.
Jack Radcliffe, a retired photography teacher, brings an artist’s eye to his Mount Washington garden and those he has designed for his neighbors.
Danny and Shanna Blackwell say gardening has brought them closer to their neighbors, who bring them plants and offer them encouragement.
Robert Bedard wouldn’t consider himself a gardener. He’s a communications consultant who decided that the way to improve his Baltimore neighborhood was to plant some flowers and trees.