Get to Know El Sereno Community Garden
I was greeted at the El Sereno Garden, on Huntington Drive in the El Sereno neighborhood, by outgoing garden manager Hal Young. Hal and his wife have been active in the garden for many years. He gave me a tour and explained that El Sereno Garden contains both a park and a community garden. The park contains pavilions, including one that celebrates Aztec heritage and was used in the park’s opening ceremonies held about 13 years ago. The park also features several fruit and flowering trees providing lots of beauty and shade. It has become an important fixture in this working class neighborhood for over a decade providing residents, predominantly Latino families and apartment dwellers, a place where they can hold parties, quinceaneras and other get-togethers. In fact, the LA Community Garden Council is looking forward to holding our Gathering of Community Gardens in the park on October 22nd.
The other portion of El Sereno Garden is a community garden containing 54 plots that measure approx. 15 x 10 feet each. Gardeners, such as incoming garden manager, Marel Leon, grow a large variety of produce in their space. Marel calls his plot his “ranchito” and grows many crops brought from his native Guatemala. He grows gourds, chipilin, and izote (or yucca) along with sugarcane and coffee. These foods keep him connected to his father and his heritage, and provide fresh, healthy food for his family.
The gardeners are working hard to maintain the park’s aesthetics so that they do not lose it due to land use issues or water rates. The park sits on Caltrans land that was procured through eminent domain for the 710 freeway extension. Now that the extension appears unlikely, Hal expressed concern that El Sereno garden may have a somewhat precarious future. The garden is also feeling the effects of the skyrocketing costs of DWP’s recent rate hikes. Hal has seen water bills go from $250 to $450 per month. LACGC has assisted gardens by working with DWP to get the agriculture status back to curb some of the increase. However, with rates continuing to increase, the garden must look for other ways to bring in funds to cover water costs.
Come on out on Saturday, October 22nd to see the lovely El Sereno Garden garden and its beautiful Aztec pavilion firsthand! The Los Angeles Community Garden Council invites you to our 10th Annual Gathering of Community Gardens from 11am to 2pm. Join us for informal networking, lunch, a garden tour, and to honor Toby Leaman for her decades of dedicated work with Metro Farms and Wattles Farm.
By Eileen Zwiers
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Join us for the 10th Annual Gathering of Community Gardens Tomorrow!
 Join community gardeners from all over LA County at the 10th Annual Gathering of Community Gardens for lunch, conversation, and a garden tour! Visit our Facebook page to see pictures of past gatherings and get a feel for the event.
We will honor Toby Leaman for her decades of dedicated work with Metro Farms and Wattles Farm.
Saturday, October 22nd, 2016
11:00am – 2:00pm
El Sereno Community Garden
5466 Huntington Drive, LA, CA 90032
RSVP to jbeals.lacgc@gmail.com or 323-942-9676.
The event is free but we kindly request a donation of $10 per person to cover the cost of lunch. |
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Food, Faith, and Field Symposium, Oct. 23rd
 Netiya will host a Food, Faith and Field Symposium on Sunday, October 23rd, from 3pm to 7pm at Prince of Peace Church and Garden at 5700 Rudnick Ave, LA 91367. Workshops will be led by gardeners, chefs, educators, and leaders of various faith traditions as we explore the connection between faith and growing our own food. Julie Beals, Executive Director of LACGC, will participate in one of the panels. The evening will conclude with Aztec dancers and a harvest ritual. Learn more and RSVP at netiya.org/events. |
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Food Day at City Hall, Oct. 25th
 Come along to LA City Hall at 9:30am on Tuesday, October 25th, to celebrate Food Day 2016, organized by the LA Food Policy Council. We’ll kick off with a Food Day Resolution in Council Chambers to reaffirm our commitment as a city to create a good food system for all. Following the presentation, we’ll move to the South Lawn for local eats, workshops, and more!
At LA City Hall. 200 N. Spring Street. Los Angeles, CA 90012. 9:30 am – 1:00 pm.
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Food, Friends, and Fall Celebration, Oct. 29th
 The Pasadena Community Gardens at 721 S. Pasadena Ave, 91105, will host a Food, Friends, and Fall Celebration from 3pm to 6pm at the garden on Saturday, October 29th. Yvonne Savio, former Director of the UCCE Master Gardener program, will speak at the event. Harpist Carolyn Sykes will provide entertainment. RSVP to cjmorrison22@gmail.com by October 26th. |
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"I grow plants for many reasons: to please my eye or to please my soul, to challenge the elements or to challenge my patience, for novelty or for nostalgia, but mostly for the joy in seeing them grow."
-- David Hobson
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Ask Al
 Do you have a pressing question about your garden that your fellow gardeners just can't seem to answer? Reply to this email to Ask Al, Master Gardener and one of the founders of LACGC.
Al hosts "office hours" at the LACGC office in Boyle Heights every Wednesday from 11am to 4pm and gardeners from LACGC partner gardens are welcome to come by to ask questions then. |
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Visit El Sereno Community Garden 