Can You Dig It? Public Invited to Community Gardens Groundbreaking

The public is invited to the special groundbreaking of the new Pasadena Community Gardens at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 9. Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard and District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison will join Pasadena city officials for the ceremony.

The event will consist of a reception at 9:00 a.m., groundbreaking ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m., and self-guided tours will take place at 11:00 a.m. Headquarters and Resource Center for Pasadena Community Gardens is located at 721 South Pasadena Ave., between California Boulevard and Bellefontaine Street.

“I’m excited about the establishment of a community garden because it represents a strong commitment to economical and environmentally responsible food production and a continuation of a great tradition of gardens and parks in Pasadena,” said Mayor Bogaard in a phone interview.

Cathy Morrison and Jody Hudson, Co-Chairs of Pasadena Community Gardens, will be joined by representatives from the Los Angeles Community Garden Council, Pasadena and Foothill Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and Caltrans. Live music and refreshments will be available until noon.

“We’re really excited because we’re going to have an informational table there so people can learn how to become a member, how to volunteer, how to donate, and make the community garden a success,” says Morrison. “Farmscape, a company that builds raised beds, will provide gardening services to homeowners who want to have a vegetable garden. They’re going to have a little raised bed at the event so folks can learn more and know what that looks like.”

Pasadena Community Gardens was designed to provide an eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable location for Pasadena residents who want to grow and enjoy local fruits, herbs, flowers and vegetables. On-site programs to teach gardening techniques and environmental conservation are also planned as part of the new gardens.

Those who sign up through the Pasadena Community Gardens and agree to its by-laws will be considered for membership. Each garden will be attractively fenced. Flowers and fruit trees will be planted around the perimeter, and all tools will be stored within a structure on site.

The gardens will employ organic or natural gardening techniques. A master gardener will be consulted to help meet eco-friendly needs. Individual participants can choose from this master list. The gardens will be open during daylight hours for members only to tend to their plots.

The garden will attract beneficial insects, bugs and birds, such as hummingbirds and bees. Fencing and use of mulch and natural plant-partnering techniques will serve as natural deterrents for larger animals. Each member must agree to follow the by-laws, which have been adapted from the by-laws of the very successful Altadena Community Garden, which has served the community for 30 years.

The groundbreaking ceremony will help kick off a fundraising campaign needed to complete the garden project. A fundraising dinner is planned for November 4, and volunteers are needed to accomplish plans for the garden’s development.

For more information about the new non-profit Pasadena Community Gardens, go to www.PasadenaCommunityGardens.org or email info@PasadenaCommunityGardens.org.

For more information about the City of Pasadena, go to www.cityofpasadena.net.