San Diego is home to more than 80 community gardens according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. 

These spaces have become a beacon to many San Diegans of all backgrounds, ages, races, cultures and levels of experience as they grow together and help communities in need. 

No community garden is identical. Some are managed by their local city while others operate independently. Some are free and others charge a fee for shared water, tools, classes, insurance, events, etc. 

The La Mesa, San Carlos and Allied Gardens communities have established community gardens —  motivated by the desire to improve their current and future community’s quality of life.   

La Mesa brought its garden visions to life in 2018

Formation of the volunteer garden committee began in 2018 for La Mesa’s Community Garden (LMCG) at MacArthur Park when community input indicated an interest in using the park’s previously designated golf course as a garden, explained LMCG Executive Director Misty Thompson. 

“The planning, design and construction of the Garden, as well as preparation of the club house into a garden gathering space and equipment storage, was implemented by volunteers of all ages and abilities,” Thompson said. “The garden opened on May 1, 2021.” 

The approximately .75-acre site is run by volunteers and funded via donations. Throughout the year, the LMCG hosts various workshops and activities — such as electric landscape tool training and prepping for plant and seed starting. 

LMCG’s annual Art in the Park will be held May 18 from 2 – 6 pm. The event intersects creativity and nature by showcasing the work of local artists. 

“The goal of the Garden is to improve residents’ quality of life by nurturing the community’s physical, mental and social health through growing and sharing healthy food,” Thompson added. 

A complete list of events, programs and more can be found at https://lamesaparks.org/1722/Community-Garden.

The San Carlos Community Garden (SCCG), a 501c3 non-profit organization, was established in 2012 through a joint partnership with the Sierra School of San Diego and a $15,000 grant funded by the San Diego County Health and Human Services. 

“On March 25, 2012, Marti Emerald, then City of San Diego Councilmember, proclaimed the date as San Carlos Community Garden Day,” said SCCG Board Chair Kelly Wood. 

She shared that for more than a decade, the SCCG has been diligent on growing community.

“We strive to carry out our mission by offering a variety of programs that educates and inspires stewardship of the earth and brings people together,” Wood said. “In addition to the 62 garden plots that community members lease to grow their own food, we offer monthly programs that appeal to all ages such as our Alphabet Soup Storytime, which introduces young children to the wonders of nature through storytelling; Garden education workshops, a Produce Swap that hosts a lovely affair where participants share-and-swap produce, herbs, flowers and best of all ‘a kindred spirit’ for gardening and the outdoors, and the soul soothing practice of Yoga and Meditation.”

The SCCG’s Spring Festival — held on April 13 from 12 – 2 p.m. — offers free activities for all ages, as well as opportunities to learn more about the garden.

Those interested in volunteering, programs, events and learning more about the SCCG can do so at https://www.sancarloscommunitygarden.com/.  

Allied Community Gardens broke ground in early 2018

Allied Community Gardens (ACG) broke ground in April 2018, while planning began the year prior. 

“Funds and labor to start the garden were donated by churches and local businesses and individuals in Allied Gardens,” ACG Board Member Christine Stoneberg said. “It was truly a community effort. Initially 14 garden boxes were built. In the following year, we were fortunate to have eight additional garden boxes built by local Eagle Scout candidates.” 

Last year, the ACG began a joint event with Benjamin Library — Story Time in the Garden. 

“The children hear a story from one of the librarians who also leads them in a song,” Stoneberg said. “Then the gardeners provide crafts for the children such as feeding our worm farm, planting seeds to take home, playing a game or some kind of paper craft. Last year we were fortunate to have Congresswoman Sara Jacobs come to the garden at one of the events and read a story and do crafts with the children.” 

Those interested in more information about the ACG can reach the organization by email: [email protected] or via their Facebook page. 

For those part of the three abovementioned organizations, community gardens continue to offer a place for community and to give back.  

(Courtesy photos)