pretty flowers from a neighbor's garden plot
It’s been a year now that we’ve been community gardeners. Wow: one year. That’s a long time in dog years and in urban gardening. Already we’ve harvested several types of herbs, artichokes, beets, kale, collard greens, lettuce, sunflowers, Serrano peppers, tomatoes, broccoli rabe, and Swiss chard.
Potrero Hill Community Garden
baby Swiss chard
baby escarole
For our “Winter Garden” we planted almost the entire plot to fava, which started from seeds back in November. They are huge now, and just beginning to flower. Yesterday I saw some bees buzzing around the flowers, so we’re hopeful for lots of gorgeous pods full of tender beans soon. Can’t wait! We’ve read that fava plants also do a favor to the soil, naturally fixing nitrogen, so many good synergies are going on right now. It is the magic of the cycle of life happening before our very eyes.
right now our community garden plot is a fava jungle
We just harvested a bunch of deep purple beets to make room for some tiny escarole and more Swiss chard plantings. Steven’s already nagging about tomato plants for the summer, but I think that it is still too early for them.
I never realized how positively creepy asparagus could look slithering out of the ground
fluffy greens close up
these are pretty
Working in a community garden isn’t all tasty fun and games. Throughout the year we participated in a couple of garden events: helping clear debris from an empty lot adjacent to the garden, weeding the common areas and mulching the pathways. Plus managing our own tiny plot can be back-breaking. But we love it.
It is amazing how fecund this little spot of land is and what it can do. Our neighbors grow asparagus, potatoes, chayotes, flowers, various beans, citrus and a whole host of cabbages. There’re a couple bee hives during the warm months. And of course, the views remain spectacular. It’s been a great year being urban farmers at the Potrero Hill Community Garden.
city view from the community garden
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What a gorgeous view from the city garden. I wouldn’t mind working all day in the garden if I could lay eyes on that view! You’re right about asparagus. I have to say I’m a bit jealous that you get to garden year round. If I had know it was going to be such a mild winter on the East Coast this year, I would have started a fall garden. Oh, well, perhaps next fall. That’s what I love about gardening. The chance to get it right–or better–next time.
Cheers,
Alaiyo
So jealous – what a garden, what a view!!!! I wish I had green thumbs and this dedication 🙂 I am going to live through ya’all on this one. I can barely keep potted plants alive so veggies – not so much! Though if we lived in the same city I’d bribe you with regular dinners and baked goods for some of your excellent bounty 🙂
chow! Devaki@weavethousandflavors
Lol, yes the asparagus is a bit creepy looking but I would love to have a fresh bunch right from the ground 🙂 Your garden plot looks fantastic!
Hope you guys are having a great weekend 🙂