By Edita McQuary
In early 2010 several members of the congregation remembered the “victory gardens” of their youth and had the great idea to provide organic gardening space to the community and thereby hangs a tale… A few dynamic church members rallied businesses such as Big Creek Lumber, Central Home Supply, Jeff Talmadge Construction, several Rotary Clubs of Santa Cruz County, Boy Scouts, teenagers from the Interact Club of Aptos High, and many other local businesses and individuals to donate material and to help construct the fencing, gates, and pathways. For the complete list of donors, please read the etched sign posted on the main garden gate. Then seventy-two plots were measured and blocked out by church member/garden supervisor, Gene Sanden, who also installed the drip irrigation system throughout the whole garden.
Garden plots are free – the only cost is $.75 per square foot to cover the cost of water usage for the year. Two-thirds of the parcels have already been rented by prior year and new gardeners, however, some are still available. Several of the plots, tended by volunteers, are reserved to grow herbs and vegetables for Second Harvest Food Bank.
The folks who garden are mainly from Aptos and the surrounding areas but there are one or two transplants from the East Coast who are really enjoying their time in the garden. One such California newbie, Dr. JoAnn Christiansen, remarks: “After living in the Northeast for 70 years, I decided to move to Aptos to be near my children. Giving up my house, proximity to friends and successful business was difficult as I thoroughly enjoyed my life, however, it also felt like it was time for a new adventure if I was to have one at all.
“What I hadn’t considered was how I would feel without my very “grounding” flower and vegetable gardens. I belatedly realized they were actually my form of meditation. After driving by the peaceful appearing Aptos Community Garden for around six months on the dead end section of Soquel Drive, I saw a friendly looking fellow who turned out to be Vince Mininni, the garden organizer.
I rented a plot for the year which included modest automatic watering and have been growing the most wonderful vegetables ever since.
“There are gardeners of all ages, incomes and experience, some outgoing and some who like to keep to themselves but all seem to also enjoy the wonderful therapeutic experience of digging in the dirt and producing the most amazing results. Soon I will be able to bring my granddaughter along to introduce this wonderful activity to her life.”
Although located on church property, Aptos Community Garden is run by a volunteer board of directors composed of several gardeners and a few church members/gardeners. Please see aptoscommunitygarden.org for an application and rules and regulations. You can also find us on Facebook or call the church (688-5727) and leave a Voicemail — someone will get back to you.
The pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Dale Sollom-Brotherton, says, “We just love having our neighbors growing healthy food in the community garden Christ Lutheran has provided. It’s a great use of our land and promotes a real sense of community for all the gardeners. I smile every time I drive by!”