DES MOINES, Iowa — After successfully winning over city hall last year, two industrious brothers have a spring and summer planned for their urban garden in Des Moines.

When the city told him he needed to build a fence around his Woodland Realm urban garden last year, Ryan Francois complied. But when he was told he’d need to place it 7-10 feet inside the sidewalk, he — and a room full of supporters — pushed back.

“It was really encouraging to hear from other neighbors whom we hadn’t met or spoken to in person,” said Francois, “and they chimed in and said ‘hey, this space is really special and I really appreciate having it in our city.’”

Francois and friends emerged from battle inspired. They finished the black locust split-rail fence and added another small — but — impressive building to the property.

“This is 100-year-old-plus redwood that came from a garage south of Grand,” Francois told us today. The building resembles a small school house and was constructed largely of reclaimed wood, windows, and stone.

The property is the epitome of utilized materials and space. Growing everything from mushrooms, to fruits and vegetables, to medicinal herbs, it’s raised beds are already full of late spring green. Nearly all of the wood, metal, stone, and brick supporting its life has been reclaimed and hand-hewn — including an impressive new sign facing High Street.

“We spend a lot of time out here working in the gardens,” said Ryan’s younger brother, Erik, “and neighbors often stop to talk as they walk by with their kids or dogs. We love that.”

More fellowship is surely enroute to Woodland Realm this spring and summer as they have workshops planned each month. Visitors can learn about sustainable gardening, bird house construction, herbology, and more.

In June, they’ll attempt their biggest gathering yet: “IngerSolstice” will celebrate the longest day of the year with a block party and live music on Saturday the 21st. All are welcome.

“We’ve always thought of this as a special place,” Erik said, “and we want it to be for everyone and we want to share it with people and I think we’re starting to have a space where we’re able to do that more and more.”

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