The San Carlos Community Garden’s (SCCG) mission is Growing Community, and while growing food, flowers and herbs play a big part of this mission, educating and developing gardeners is equally important.

The SCCG is excited to announce its partnership with Epic Gardening, one of the world’s most followed gardening brands with over six million followers across its channels and an extensive online library of how-to gardening tutorials. Its online store (epicgardening.com) offers best-in-class gardening products, including its flagship product, Birdies Raised Beds.

SCCG was selected by Epic Gardening as a demonstration garden for its Birdie Beds and high-quality seeds from Botanical Interests, which the company acquired in 2023.

Kris Moriarty, Director of Customer Experience & Special Projects for Epic Gardening, was instrumental in creating this partnership with SCCG. “We’re happy to announce our partnership with the San Carlos Community Garden,” said Moriarty. “Together we’re cultivating a greener, healthier community by providing resources, education, and support to inspire gardeners of all levels. At Epic Gardening, we exist to help you grow, and this collaboration allows us to extend that vision locally.”

“We are always looking for ways to give back to our gardeners and the community,” said Gayle Mills, co-chair of SCCG Board of Directors. “Our partnership with Epic Gardening is more than we could have ever imagined and will be a great resource to our current and future gardeners.”

Chia-Ming Ro, owner of coastalhomestead.com and one of Epic Gardening’s content curators, has helped create a gardening plan for Epic Gardening’s plot at SCCG.

“You might not realize it, but it’s still winter and that means it’s still a great time to plant and grow winter veggies,” said Ro. “In the weeks ahead, we’ll be planting (from seed), plants that are also good for transitioning into spring. So, lot’s of veggies like radishes, carrots, leafy greens and Asian greens like Swiss chard, Bok Choy, and Fennel. We’ll also plant flowers to attract pollinators and help with pest control; and since it’s bare-root season, we’ll add some blueberries too.”

“It’s hard to beat the knowledge we’ll gain by having such great access to Epic Gardening and their team, but we’re also fortunate to have experienced gardeners, like Scott Sherman, who has been with us for many growing seasons and has built quite the reputation for his peppers, turnips, and cauliflower,” said Mills. “And, I hear he makes a mean cauliflower mac and cheese.”

Sherman, a resident of Allied Gardens, has been a member of SCCG since leasing his plot in 2013.

“I’ve seen SCCG grow from its humble beginnings into the jewel it has become,” said Sherman. “I really like the life lessons gardening teaches to children. It teaches them about planting seeds, caring for seedlings, nurturing and growing the seedlings into mature plants and how and when to harvest the results. But it really teaches them that with hard work and patience and perseverance you can literally enjoy the fruits of your labors.”

Eliana and Bryce Newall, of East Lake, joined the garden in December 2024.

“We live in a home with no yard and have been growing what we can from pots on our small patio, which can be challenging, especially for growing larger produce. We’ve always wanted to join a community garden and discovered SCCG by my sister who lives close by. We attended SCCG’s Produce Swap a few times and were really impressed with all the friendly people involved, and all the neat programs that they offer, said Eliana.

In just a few months, Eliana and Bryce have produced a beautiful bounty of organic veggies including Cabbage, Cauliflower, and broccoli. “Now I’m ready to lease a second plot and start growing carrots,” said Eliana. “And, I can’t wait to attend yoga in the garden.”

“Not only is it a fantastic place to grow organic, healthy, fresh produce; it’s also a great spot to meet and engage with your neighbors,” added Sherman. “I highly recommend people come and visit SCCG and become part of our community. You’ll be glad you did.”

Learn more about the SCCG at: sancarloscommunitygarden.com.

Top photo: The Epic Gardening team at the site of their soon to be SCCG demonstration garden (Left to right): Paul Ruiz, Chia Ming Ro, Ian Ware