Guerilla Gardening an Abandoned Subdivision

First time on the forums. Want to give a big thank you to everyone involved and all of the wonderful ideas and content that has been shared.

Wanted to share with you a project I've recently undertaken and ask for some guidance.

The other day, poking about on Google maps, I stumbled upon a subdivision that had been about a quarter finished. That is, there was one full street of houses fully developed and inhabited with the other 3/4 or so having been paved, cleared, and electricity routed, but then stopped. Presumably they ran out of money around 2009. That property has been practically abandoned ever since. It's in Atlanta, Ga with half of it being in Fulton County.
So, being the miscreant that I am, I managed to clear about 1/10 of an acre, and plan to urban farm it till I graduate and get a job.

I'll upload pictures in a sec,because who doesn't like to see pictures?

I have a few more pictures, but this is the gist. Teaching the lady friend there that lives nearby how to use some tools. That compost pile is my first one. Gonna do the first turn tomorrow evening, and see if it's heating up. Does it look big enough?

hau, Vince, welcome to permies and good on ya to take the initiative on using that land.

Instead of turning your pile straight away, try poking a stick into the middle of it first, let it sit a few minutes then pull it out and have a look and smell.
That may tell you what is going on in there without having to turn it. What can happen is; turning it just as it is starting the heating process will stop it straight away, this is not good.
If the stick is warm, you have heating going on, if it smells sweetish then all is going well and there is no need to do a turn just yet.
If the stick is wet, vrs. damp, then you will need to do a turn so the moisture will even out and heating will proceed as desired. Leaving a heap that is wet inside will lead to anaerobic conditions (not what you want usually).

This time of year is perfect for planting winter crops such as kale, turnip, brassicas and so on. I would simply poke holes and plant seeds, water and you are on your way.

This time with pretties!!! (Not my video)

Seeing it's been 10 years since Vince posted, hoping all's well with them.

In the UK, what we might also call 'grassroots gardening' is being tolerated by some local authorities in some circumstances.  I'm a big fan.

For example, Maxilla Gardens under the London Westway in the UK, supported by Grow2Know Community Interest Company:

"[I]n 2020, Tayshan Hayden-Smith [who lost friends in the infamous Grenfell Tower Disaster of 14 June 2017], along with BBC presenter and horticulturalist Danny Clarke and local agriculturalist Ali Yellop, formed Grow2Know, a not-for-profit based in North Kensington, aiming to make horticulture more inclusive by inspiring and educating young gardeners across disused spaces in London [UK].

"The organisation has since transformed green spaces in the local area – with Tayshan founding the Grenfell Garden of Peace too."

https://geographical.co.uk/news/how-grenfell-guerrilla-gardening-helped-rebuilt-community-resilience

Bryant RedHawk wrote: Instead of turning your pile straight away, try poking a stick into the middle of it first, let it sit a few minutes then pull it out and have a look and smell.
That may tell you what is going on in there without having to turn it.  What can happen is; turning it just as it is starting the heating process will stop it straight away, this is not good.
If the stick is warm, you have heating going on, if it smells sweetish then all is going well and there is no need to do a turn just yet.
If the stick is wet, vrs. damp, then you will need to do a turn so the moisture will even out and heating will proceed as desired. Leaving a heap that is wet inside will lead to anaerobic conditions (not what you want usually).

What a great idea.  This is the first time I have seen this suggestion.  Since it has been ten years it would be great to hear if Victor tried this idea...