Got a Green Thumb? Need Some Dirt?

Oak Forest Park District Commissioner Joe Conway doesn't mind if you get your hands dirty. In fact, he encourages it.

Conway has been busy promoting the park district's community gardens, including a newer plot at 151st and Long.

Local gardeners grab their own piece of earth where they can nurture and coax plants into full bloom for $20 per 10-foot by 10-foot plot. The soil is theirs to plant their pick of blossoms, fruits, vegetables—whatever they like. Last year, the corn stalks towered over some gardeners' heads, while others stuck to broccoli or cauliflower.

"Residents who don't want to or can't put a garden in their yard, this is for them," said Joe Conway, with the Oak Forest Park District. "It's a better way for them so they don't have to dig up their own yard to do it."

Patch first talked about the garden at 151st and Long at the end of March. The garden sits on a lot of unused land 66 feet wide by 700 feet long—which the park district hopes is enough space for 150 plots. In its first season last year, 10 gardeners dug into the space.

"I really want this to work," Conway said. "It's a great use of the land."

Check out a video interview with Conway on ACVariety.com.