- Author: Sharon L. Rico
Posh Squash, a community garden on the northern California coast at Sea Ranch has existed since 1975. A resident donated the one-acre site. An unlikely plot of land, it was a steep hillside, rocky soil, a long walk from the road through thickets to access. The deer roam freely through the area along with voles, moles, raccoons and other hungry critters.
Over 4 decades later, this garden has evolved into an organized, sustaining, community garden in every sense of the word. Sea Ranch has permanent residents, part-time residents, and seasonal visitors. Group meetings were held, rules established, a board elected and then the real work began. There have been 700 gardeners volunteering since the first shovel of soil was turned.
Trees were removed, rocks excavated, water systems designed, compost bins built, and plans/rules established. The hillside was terraced and raised beds were built.
You will find brassicas, legumes, alliums, and cucurbits in abundance, but no artichokes, okra, eggplant or corn. Why were some plants chosen and not others? The history of Posh Squash is the answer. What is planted is what has worked in the past and what is not planted is what did not work. The gardeners live within the potentials and limitations of the ridge top acre's soil, terrain and micro climate. “The garden proposes, nature disposes.”
Posh Squash is a collective and the gardeners share work and produce. It requires teamwork and offers individuality. I will continue to write about Posh Squash and the unique garden that is feeding a community of participants.
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My blog on June 15th was about the neighborhood garden planted in a vacant backyard in my neighborhood. Our motivation was to have fresh vegetables during the summer while the empty house was going through the probate process.
The lots on our street are small, from 40'x140', to 50'x140. Most yards have large trees, assorted plants and small areas for gardens. Our lot is filled with a house, separate garage and garden cottage. We have 3 peach trees, a cherry tree, 2 apple trees, 40 roses and an assortment of plants including two small vegetable gardens. The appeal of a separate garden in virgin soil with full sun was appealing. Being able to share vegetables with other neighbors has been interesting. When walking outside, I will find a zucchini or cucumbers on our front porch. I'm envisioning a mailbox to exchange recipes using the garden produce.
Had to add this bit of humor. One of our neighbors was using a hoe to weed the garden and accidentally severed several watermelons the size of baseballs. No one could complain as he was doing the job all of us had planned to do and never got around to it. There will still be watermelons to share.
New definition. Hoeing: A manual method of severing fruits from stems of newly planted vines.