I worked today. Since starting my job I’ve participated in several projects yet have been too tired to write much. I will write about past projects, but to avoid the “too far behind” syndrome I’ll start with today’s.
Dawn was damp and gray. The temperature was mild and the roads lightly wet as I drove to Palo Alto. The project I worked on was at Almost Eden, a community garden set near a moderately busy corner in Palo Alto. The land on which the garden sits is donated by the Baptist church right next door, and I found the garden very peaceful. About 20 people showed up despite the drizzle. I worked with two women harvesting dragon kale and collard greens. Other people added mulch to keep weeds down, pruned roses, planted new seedlings, and trimmed bushes that were crowding the fruit trees. Almost everything is composted except for weeds; any yellow leaves I harvested, or those ravaged by slugs, were added to compost. The offending slugs, when found, were tossed into a bucket of soapy water for a quick and painless death, and since the soap was organic, the water will later added to the compost pile. People who felt squeamish about killing them were asked just to chuck ’em as far as possible to the edge of the garden.
Almost Eden provides the nutritious fruits of its garden to Bread of Life Ministries and Urban Ministries, both of which serve meals to needy people, and to the South Palo Alto Food Closet. They also offer individuals who visit Urban Ministries “pick your own” coupons in the summer. People come to Almost Eden, help with a garden chore for 30 minutes, and then pick as much produce as they can consume in week. (I love this idea especially!)
I wish I’d thought to bring my camera. As we were leaving I walked by a patch of brilliant swiss chard. The stalks were vivid red and the leaves glossy, deep green. It was an arresting sight. I will definitely go back to this garden to work, and now that I know where it is, I may also seek respite from life’s noise there.
Their website also provides pdf files with instructions on composting, recommended produce to grow in the Bay Area, and a schedule of what to in your garden and when. Anyone interested in volunteering with the Almost Eden Garden Project may contact them directly. Or, if you would like to work with a team of people, contact Hands On Bay Area to join. Becoming a volunteer with Hands On requires only one hour of your time for orientation, after which you may sign up for whatever projects interest you as your schedule allows.
*sad sigh* I can’t believe all of those green things are growing there while it’s the middle of winter here. *sniffle*
Seriously though, the idea of that garden is WONDERFUL! We used to always have gardens until I moved here, and it’s really depressed me to know that this summer there will be no garden or flowers to tend. Maybe I’ll see if there is anywhere like that to volunteer at around here!
I’m not exactly sure what your job is, Kathryn, but I assume it is to oversee small community non-profit projects. This one sounds absolutely wonderful. I’m sure there is an equivalent in L.A., though probably on the Westside which tends to be more environmentally aware. Next time bring your camera. What a privilege it is to work where people are making a difference. Non-profit people don’t make the big bucks like the Silicon Valleyers do, but the kind of work you do is very satisfying–except you wish you could do even more. Yes?
Kathryn, that place sure looks like a little bit of heaven to me – as Jana said, especially at this time of year, to see such luch growth. Aaah. But what I really love in the photos (click the link, Fran, there are photos on the site!) was those garden-seats under the tree. A place to work, to produce food, but also to sit and soak it up. A perfect Artist’s Date location, I’d say