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From Wasteland to Community Hub

8/11/2014

 

Free Food Garden at Arroyo Food Co-op

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About a year ago, I went to the Arroyo Food Co-op for the first time as a brand new member/owner. I noticed an unused strip of land along the west side of the building. It was a forgettable spot with some scraggly grass, bougainvilleas and a few shrubs. You’d never notice it walking by.

Today, you can’t miss it. California native plants grow in the parkway. Fruit trees donated by Tree People promise a harvest all year round — a summer-fruiting apricot, a winter/spring-fruiting Pixie Mandarin tangerine and a fall-fruiting Fuyu Persimmon.

A meandering path in the shape of a snake is slowly taking shape, thanks to reclaimed concrete and the strong backs of volunteers. A table and benches, crafted from discarded pallets, has turned an unused edge into a gathering place. An irrigation system is in progress. Coming soon: vegetables.

Two days a week, sometimes more, people gather to chat a little, work a little, eat a little. Neighbors are getting to know neighbors, learning how to garden, getting some exercise, and relaxing into a whole new way of relating to nature and each other. “A free food garden, you say? Free? Why?”

How did it happen? Before it was a gathering place for people, that humble strip of land was a gathering place for some powerful ideas. Placemaking — a movement intent on “activating” public spaces to bring people together to improve the local quality of life. Permaculture — a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature, capturing available energy (not only sun and water, but the enthusiasm of people). The Transition movement — dedicated to building joyful, self-reliant, local communities.

And there’s the Arroyo Food Co-op, willing to take a chance on a project that had a start-up budget of exactly zero dollars.

There’s a long, long list of those who make this garden possible. If you want the whole story — or some free fruits and vegetables (still from volunteers’ yards, mostly) or the chance to make new friends — come on by!

— Sylvia Holmes

Free Food Garden at Arroyo Food Co-op
494 N. Wilson Ave., Pasadena


This project is co-sponsored by Transition Pasadena and the  Arroyo Food Co-op.   If you would like weekly updates by email or for more information, email Sylvia Holmes.

Time bank members earn time dollars. Sign up for a free membership at:  www.asntb.com

Links:
Gardening in Public Spaces, Free Food Garden at Arroyo Food Co-op

Photo by Sylvia Holmes

California Native Plants: The Big Picture

8/4/2014

 
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Throop Learning Garden presents Lisa Novick
Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 3:00 pm

Throop U.U. Church
300 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena


You are invited to spend a fascinating, informative afternoon with Lisa Novick of the Theodore Payne Foundation.

Lisa skillfully weaves water conservation, habitat preservation, and the health of insect, bird, and wildlife populations through the framework of native plants in a way a novice can appreciate, and a seasoned gardener will find illuminating. She also shows how companion planting with native plants and edibles can dramatically improve the health and productivity of any garden.

$5 suggested donation, supports the Theodore Payne Foundation

Light refreshments will be served.  Program is about an hour long.

Throop Learning Garden | August 3, 2014

8/2/2014

 
Hello Gardeners!

Sunday, August 3, 8:30 to 10:30 am:

We will have a brief discussion of using water gauges effectively, to minimize water use in your garden.  Please join us for light garden work:

Throop Learning Garden
300 S Los Robles
Pasadena 91101

Wear hat and sunscreen.  Drinking water will be provided.

See you Sunday,
— January Nordman

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