What is implied when the author states that Dale Eaton "didn't buy the lot for the usual reasons"?
A. Eaton plans to sell his organic garden to make a profit.
B. Most empty lots are not developed into organic gardens.
C. Eaton's neighbors would rather build a condo on the empty lot.
D. Organic gardens are frowned upon in Eaton's neighborhood.
From Eyesore to Organic Garden
Residents of the 4200 block of Fremont Avenue used to complain about the empty lot in their neighborhood. Formerly the site of a two-story Victorian home that had to be torn down in 2002 due to structural instability, the lot remained undeveloped for eight long years. A chain-link fence surrounded the property. Following years of neglect, the lot began to accumulate trash and other debris.
“It was a real eyesore,” neighbor Barbara Pennington said. “Our street looked like a perfect smile, except here was this rotting tooth. I just figured no one had the money or the time to do anything about it.”
No one, that is, until Dale Eaton came along. Eaton, a retired software engineer, purchased the lot earlier this year. Eaton said he often passed the lot while walking his dog at night. He decided something had to be done.
“Honestly, I’m not usually interested in real estate,” Eaton said. “But when you’ve lived in a neighborhood for as long as I have, you start to feel protective about it.”
Eaton, who lives a few blocks away with his wife and two daughters, didn’t buy the lot for the usual reasons. Whereas most developers these days are interested in condos or apartment buildings, Eaton just wanted a garden.
“I figured it was the best thing for the community,” Eaton explained. “And I knew I could count on other neighbors to help out.”
As soon as the fence came down, neighbors began to take notice. With the help of his two daughters, Denise and Darla, Eaton began to build raised garden beds. They studied different techniques for composting, aerating, and planting. Within a few months, their vegetable garden was already showing promise.
It didn’t take long for other neighbors to start pitching in. Jed Schweiber, a long-time resident of Fremont, started donating compost last month. These days, Schweiber visits the garden almost daily to pull weeds. Suzie Hatchman, another neighbor, said she brings compost to the garden whenever she can.
“I can’t wait to see this year’s crop,” Hatchman said. “Most of us don’t have this kind of space in our own yards. But here we’ve got enough room for larger vegetables like squash and pumpkins.”
Indeed, visitors to Eaton’s new organic garden might be surprised to see how quickly this eyesore has become a paradise of vegetation. Eaton hopes that other Seattle residents might be encouraged to do the same thing he did. After all, he said, “Nothing connects a community quite like a growing garden.”