Two Community Gardens in SLO Gear up for Spring

by Bob Metz

In exchange for the inconvenience of getting there, cooperative Community Gardens hold a treasure of benefits. Sharing an enjoyable hobby, knowledge and fun with other gardeners (novice and experienced alike), being able to leave the garden mid-summer on vacation, growing varieties which require more room, coordinating with other community groups, the list goes on and on. If co-operatively working with others to create a beautiful garden, abounding in organically grown produce, sounds appealing, let me share two very special Community Garden projects with you.

Growing Grounds Community Garden

The Community Garden located at Growing Grounds Farm (on Orcutt near Johnson) is almost a year old now, is completely organic, and is run as one large 40 x 100 foot cooperative garden as opposed to individual plots. Growing Grounds Farm (a Mental Health Association non-profit) provides the site in exchange for a percentage of the produce which is given to the community or sold to help raise funds for the non-profit.

During the winter, the garden is open on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday of each month from 10:00 - Noon, as well as Wednesday afternoons of each week (rain cancels). There is no minimum work required; each work day there is plenty to harvest and the produce is divided by the people which showed up that day. Last summer it was a common sight to see people leave with bags full of vine ripe tomatoes, basil, vegetables, herbs, flowers and smiles over-flowing!

The cost is $24 per growing season (Nov - Oct) with the money going to garden expenses and community education.

Prado Road Community Garden

The Community Garden located at the Prado Road Homeless Day Center (Off Prado Road near the ECOSLO yard) is just in the very beginning planning stages and will also be completely organic and run as a cooperative garden. The garden is envisioned to support community interaction and provide, not only fresh produce, herbs, and flowers, but also the 'intangible' benefits of growing one's own food and contributing to a beautiful space. There will be plenty of food given to People's Kitchen, other food based non-profits as well as community participants.

The plan is to have a schedule of regular work days and workshops starting in the spring. Workshop ideas include: compost, worm bins, organic gardening, landscape and pond construction, and permaculture techniques. The contact person for the Prado Road Community Garden is Tory Blue (787 - 0464).

Even though this garden is in the beginning planning stages there has been tremendous support from local businesses and individuals. Muff Construction Co., Farm Supply, JJ's, and San Luis Auto Body Carstar are a few of the businesses which have provided generous support. Many individuals have provided time, tools, and funding; while one anonymous donor has pledged to underwrite all food production expenses!

We live in such a beautiful area with so many caring people; and what better way to enjoy a sunny day than to meet some friends in a Community Garden? m