In May of 2012, this newspaper covered the ground-breaking of a new community garden, situated on the church campus of Northminster Presbyterian Church (NPC). Now three years later, it is hard to miss the burst of green and other vibrant colors as you pass by on busy Clairemont Mesa Blvd just east of Clairemont Square. Over 40 large garden beds (5’ x 10’) are tended by community members who share a passion for gardening. The beds are bisected by a concrete walkway and colorful, painted columns; a delightful mural beautifies one edge of the garden. On most days you will see a gaggle of gardeners tending their beds, all local community members. (You do not have to be a member of Northminster Church to be part of the garden.) As spring begins, the gardeners are busy putting in their new crops: tomatoes, basil, summer squash, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant.. and the list goes on.
The gardeners meet up informally on Saturdays at 9 to enjoy gardening fellowship, and regularly scheduled “work parties” ensure that the common areas are maintained and the composting of green materials continues. Classes about canning veggies and fruit as well as meetings with guest speakers give the gardeners opportunities to get to know each other and increase their gardening knowledge. They have potlucks as well to celebrate their harvests.
This May the NPC Garden is excited and honored to be included in the Clairemont Garden Tour. The gardeners look forward to the opportunity to share their gardening successes with Clairemont visitors. Stop by, ask questions, find out what we are up to! And if you are interested in joining our garden, we do have regular bed turnover, so add your name to our waiting list by visiting our website: www.northminstersandiego.com or by calling our church office @ 858-490-3995. Happy gardening!
