As the gift-giving season has been, once again, bestowed upon us, nothing could be better than giving a gift that keeps on giving. Indeed, it isn’t a bad idea, not a bad idea at all. Have you ever thought about giving the gift of a garden? Its a gift that keeps growing and growing.
What’s a Community Garden?
It’s a contiguous land gardened by a community of people. Los Angeles has approximately 70 community gardens, which currently provides herbs, flowers, vegetables, trees, fruits, and everything else that grow under the warm California sun. Locally 3,900 families use and benefit from their produce. With a combination of public, private, and governmental funds, community gardens are run by their members—like a co-op. Each garden has access to water–and many other necessities–including composting facilities. But they have all one thing in common–they all need and require love. That and a bountiful of “sweat equity,” do make a Community Garden both flourish, and blossom.
Its Costs
All local Community Garden charge different amounts for participation; but one example I found is from Ocean View Farms, which charges its members $30.00 per plot, with a required $6.00 insurance policy. For only $36.00, you can grow your own fresh vegetables and fruits.
To find and contribute to the Community Garden of your choice, Travelin’ Local has provided its Mapping of Los Angeles’ Community Gardens below:
View Los Angeles Community Gardens in a larger map
While we’re all transfixed about family, the Holidays, the economy, and other daily news—and with winter approaching right around the corner—gardening is probably not first on people’s list. Be that as it may, living in one of the world’s most temperate and beautiful climates, you’d be surprised that more and more people daily, are thinking about, and getting involved with Community Gardening. In LA, we can grow year round.
As spring will soon be here, maybe you’ll be next to plant your seed, and continue to grow your local roots.
Davina
3 months ago
Hi Lisa. I love the idea of a community garden. There is one about a 10-minute walk from my apartment that I’d considered joining. Since I don’t own a vehicle I decided it would be just too much to try to carry supplies back and forth. I often find myself walking by during the summer months to admire everyone’s gardens.
Davina´s last blog ..Where Did that Crummy Paddle Go?
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LisaNewton Reply:
November 30th, 2009 at 3:21 am
@Davina, All of the photos here were taken at a small garden not too far from my house. I too, love walking past, seeing the different slant people put on their gardens, what they are growing, the different plants they choose to plant, and the various additions they put in.
Each plot tells its own story.
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