Edible San Diego E Edition Issue #51 Winter 2019

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GROW GOOD | BY CHERIE GOUGH From Vacant to Vibrant Lemon Grove Builds a Community Garden When you picture a community garden, you might imagine neighbors gathering, chatting as they water tomatoes and attend gardening workshops. But before the dream of a community garden can become reality, a lot of planning, sweat, and persistence goes into it. Lemon Grove’s Community Garden Board knows this to be true. Their garden, which is coming together in stages, has been a dream since 2008. Now, with the go-ahead from the city, along with the support of community organizations and neighbors, they are growing community in a once-vacant lot at the corner of Olive Street and Central Avenue. Putting Down Roots Anita Lopez says that in order for the city to lease the property to create the community garden, it wanted commitment from a community-based group. A team of volunteers elected leaders, drew up a business plan, and found a fiscal agent in THRIVE Lemon Grove, a nonprofit grassroots organization that focuses on improving the public safety and health of the city. In June 2018, the Lemon Grove Community Garden gained approval from City Council. The community garden is part of the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Zone Coalition. Kaiser Permanente helps fund the initiative through a grant to help small communities like Lemon Grove focus on reducing obesity. Lopez, program manager of HEAL Zone, envisions a future where plot members can learn new ways to use their seasonal produce through cooking demonstrations at the farmers’ market and monthly Saturday workshops in the garden. Environmental Sustainability John Hochman, a key member of the group since its inception, is the environmental sustainability officer. “I see this garden as an extension of the world at large and I want to help it grow with the principles by which we should live,” says Hochman, who reclaimed the wood to build the raised beds. He also found a friend and Vista community activist to donate the salvaged 20 ediblesandiego.com
| GROW GOOD materials for the chain-link fence that lines the garden’s perimeter. “It takes a lot of energy and natural resources to create these materials, so everything that can be reused serves an important purpose,” he notes. Last summer, the group began meeting every Saturday to clear the land and start building beds and fencing that will eventually be surrounded by dwarf citrus trees. Garden chair Walt Oliwa says that the drip irrigation system will help save water and minimize the frustration often experienced by novice gardeners who may not know how often to water. Accessibility “Accessibility is a key factor in the garden’s vision and planning,” says Oliwa. Of the garden’s 40 raised beds, six will be raised higher to provide seniors with elevated access to tend to their gardens, and three beds on the garden’s perimeter will be wheelchair accessible. Neighbors Come Together Neighbors in passing have contributed significantly to the garden’s progress. In October of last year, while volunteers took measurements to install the drip irrigation system, a pickup truck stopped by. The community resident was a contractor who offered his time to do the job professionally. Other neighbors have donated tools that they no longer need. Such small acts are planting seeds of success. Locals attend Saturday builds when they can, and engage through an active social media campaign and website. Logistics Garden beds are available to interested Lemon Grove residents first, and any excess beds will be available to neighboring community members. To make beds affordable, the $100 annual fee can be paid quarterly and includes access to water, seasonal starter seeds, shared garden tools, and monthly workshops. Garden members will be expected to volunteer for several hours each year to keep the space looking beautiful and welcoming, which will also give them a chance to take advantage of the garden managers’ expert advice on topics such as composting and growing organic produce. Monthly newsletters will keep members and interested residents informed about events put together by the group’s program director Kirk Taylor. “There is a synergy here,” says Lopez. She believes that with the garden’s growing success, neighbors will continue to support efforts that raise awareness about healthy living. A thriving garden yields more than just produce. It means active time spent outdoors, relationship building, and access to healthy foods for all. WINTER <strong>2019</strong> | edible SAN DIEGO 21
Page 1 and 2: Explore the flavors of San Diego Co
Page 3 and 4: ediblesandiego.com WE’VE GONE DIG
Page 5 and 6: Healthy Diet, Healthy Living WE DEL
Page 7 and 8: | PUBLISHER’S NOTE We are a small
Page 9 and 10: Mission Beach 3733 Mission Blvd. Op
Page 11 and 12: | LIVING LOCAL Feeding Our Souls BY
Page 13 and 14: | LIVING LOCAL Let’s Grow BY JONI
Page 15 and 16: Breakfast for Dinner SERVES 1 More
Page 17 and 18: | EAT WELL Five Ways to Cook with K
Page 19 and 20: | EAT WELL Cold Buster This tropica
Page 21: The ideal size for raised beds Widt
Page 25 and 26: | FEATURE A few CSA shares and farm
Page 27 and 28: | FEATURE OLIVIA HAYO As in most th
Page 29 and 30: | FEATURE Colleen Someck 58, FLEXIT
Page 31 and 32: | FEATURE Favorite restaurants Lovi
Page 33 and 34: Instagram @steph_gaudreau Steph Gau
Page 35 and 36: face as unfortunate. “Composting
Page 37 and 38: | STAYCATION Getting Away at the Ra
Page 39 and 40: SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Neighbo
Page 41 and 42: Farmers’ Markets Monday Escondido
Page 43 and 44: WINTER 2019 | edible SAN DIEGO 3

Edible San Diego E Edition Issue #51 Winter 2019

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