The Altadena Community Garden

Sharing Through Altadena Community Garden

Who hasn’t heard the expression, “April showers bring May flowers”? I had the privilege and pleasure of being guided through the gardens last Sunday morning. The mountains I love so dearly - served as a backdrop to each garden plot and one after another – a dimensional canvas of each gardener’s vision unfolded before me.

The morning air disbursed a sweet fragrance, a mixture of sweet floral scents incorporating the freshness of soil. There is nothing quite as wonderful as fragrant, sweet and fresh soil! My grandfather taught me that. For those who love to garden, this is a place not to be missed! I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have driven past the corner of Lincoln and Palm in Altadena, only to utter to myself that I would come back again and explore this wonderful looking place.

The garden is operated by L.A. County Parks and Recreation Department, and is a part of Loma Alta Park. Today it is a place to learn about plant life, soil, watering, composting, recycling, cooking, and food preservation – among other things. It is a place to grow friendships and not just flowers, trees, vegetables and cacti. Sixty square feet are a typical plot size and it is interesting to see what each gardener will create and successfully produce. Individual personalities and sense of humor become evident as one meanders around. There are public areas that are maintained by hired and helper hands as well. The roses are making a spectacular showing this season together with abundant artichoke plants. It is a place to experiment with what will grow and produce the greatest yield or crop. It is a place where families can come and share – one generation to the next.

The grounds offer an elevated deck with abundant built in perimeter seating under a semi- shade providing avocado tree on one side – flanked by a grapefruit tree on the other. There are Bar-B-Que’s for the members use. All gardening tools are provided and maintained by the members, so newcomers do not have to purchase anything or lug from home!

The county charges a small annual fee of $75.00 for this experience – per plot, and only $30.00 per year if you would prefer to come and assist someone already gardening. As you can imagine, there is a waiting list for avid gardeners to get in. I understand that it is about a two year wait! Lasting friendships are cultivated here! Gardening brings out the best in people of all ages and all cultures. It ‘grafts’ people together and wonderful things result!

The generous nature of gardener’s was further shown to me when I was preparing to depart from my ‘fact finding mission.’ I was gifted freshly picked artichokes (that I prepared with hollandaise sauce), a lovely bouquet of sweet-peas that scented my car for two days, and from the president of the garden, a gorgeous bouquet of the most beautiful rose varieties in the garden and an invitation to ‘please come back again!’ I have been smiling ever since… and have posted photographs of my bouquets on Facebook to share with the rest of you! I am also posting an album of photos I created from my wonderful Sunday morning at the Altadena Community Garden.

My name is Natalia Budilo and I am a gardener, a Realtor and your neighbor! You can find me on Facebook, on Twitter and email at NVB.Homes@gmail.com for any questions. Feel free to download my photos for your own enjoyment they can be found on Facebook under my name.