Best Community Gardens In Los Angeles
With summertime in full bloom, many around the Los Angeles area will spend even more time outside. Community gardens present the perfect gardening solution when there is limited space, such as in the busy neighborhoods of the nation's second largest city. Whether one wants to grow tomatoes, carrots, peas, lettuce or a whole host of other vegetables or fruits, the opportunities are out there. So, roll up your sleeves and get to work at some of these community gardens around the area.
Fountain Community Garden
5620 Fountain Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 387-3241
www.facebook.com/fountaincommunitygardens
For those individuals or families looking to grow organic fruits and vegetables, FCG provides a good location. Located not far from Helen Bernstein High School, interested gardeners can secure a plot (there are dozens and dozens of plots currently growing various kinds of food) for just $10 a month, then watch the planting and growing begin. The grounds, once a haven for homeless and others back in the day, have been transformed in less than a decade to an area that many locals can be proud of.
Union Avenue Cesar Chavez Community Garden
1136 S. Union Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 381-3747
Completed in 1982, the Pico-Union Community Garden (its previous name) won a National Gardening Association Award (1985). Since that time, the garden has attracted further attention from the organization. It was visited by gardeners from all over the United States during the 2006 annual Gardening Association's National Conference held at UCLA.
According to UACCCG contact Patty Gastelum, this garden may be small "but it has empowered so many residents to dream big!" Gastelum noted that the garden has helped transform people in the community. "In addition to providing fresh fruits and vegetables, a garden can also be a tool for promoting physical and emotional health, connecting with nature, teaching life skills and promoting financial security." From youth to senior citizens, the garden not only teaches locals about the value and healthiness of gardening, but also about working together with one another.
Ocean View Farms
3300 S. Centinela Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
(310) 915-1123
www.oceanviewfarms.net
One of the bigger gardening areas around Los Angeles, Ocean View Farms offers gardeners countless plots to choose from. Founded nearly 40 years ago, OVF has a number of missions, one of which is making sure people appreciate the land around them, doing all they can do to promote conservation. Not only does community gardening help the environment, but it brings together people from all walks of life, people who may otherwise never get to meet one another.
Rosewood Community Garden
4160 Rosewood Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 821-7748
Many of those with gardens at Rosewood Community Garden enjoy growing myriads of fruits, vegetables and flowers. Located in a residential area, RCG gives locals the opportunity to expand their love for gardening beyond their immediate properties. Given there are many children in the neighborhood, adults can expose them at an early age to the joys of gardening, teaching them responsibility along the way too.
Santa Monica Community Garden
1527 4th St.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 458-8300
www.smgov.net/Departments/CCS
A trio of community gardens await those in this city by the Pacific Ocean. Available only to residents of Santa Monica, plots will be available via submitted applications (this is done on a first-come, first-serve basis).
The city points out that the plots are situated in the following areas:
- Main Street, between Strand & Hollister
- Park Drive, between Santa Monica Blvd & Broadway
- Euclid Park, 1525 Euclid Street
Whether you want to plant tomatoes, lettuce, green beans, peppers or strawberries, the possibilities are endless.
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