Harvest time at Community Gardens

Westside Community Garden coordinator Ed Phillips can’t help but feel proud of first-time gardener Lori Patterson as he looks over her plot. He and the other more experienced gardeners have helped her this summer. Patterson is glad she found out about this place online.

“I came over and met these great people and they’ve all been very helpful,” Patterson said. “They helped me get started and have a good, successful year.”

Patterson’s grandson, Colton Peters, got excited about gardening this summer too.

“I like growing the plants and getting them to eat and how much fun it is to plant,” Colton said.

The theme of the Idaho Falls Community Garden Association is that people can all grow together — growing flowers, growing vegetables and fruits, and growing a community of people who can share their love of gardening.

Ed Phillips finds it rewarding to be one of the garden coordinators.

“We plan garden parties — working parties we call them — and we come out and weed and take care of compost and all kinds of little odds and ends, and try to keep up with the work, and it’s fun socializing too,” Phillips said.

Sam Madrano has loved gardening all his life and is glad he has a plot at the Eastside Garden, where he works with his son-in law and grandchildren.

“It gives me a lot of produce for the house,” Madrano said.

Successful organic gardening is one of the objectives here. Free classes are offered to teach how to do it. The organic element appeals to Fidel Fernandez.

“When you grow your own food, you know what you’re putting into the ground, so if you don’t like chemicals you know you’re not putting any chemicals into the plants,” Fernandez said.

Water is available, but gardeners provide their own seeds and plants and are responsible for maintenance of their plot.

Special plots are set aside for children who want to try their hand at gardening.

For Monna Casper, the rewards go beyond having fresh food.

“My grandchildren are involved with me, and my husband, and I’ve made some outstanding friendships here,” Casper said.

Bridget Cervantes enjoys the produce she grows, but finds the best part is working with her father, son and daughter.

“My father does some gardening here too, so we garden together and he teaches me a lot. My daughter actually started the gardening,” Cervantes said.

Robyn King says it’s as much about social interaction as vegetables and flowers.

“I love it, not only for the organic produce, but it’s just been such a great opportunity for family and community to come together,” King said. “It’s really great. The people bond when they come here and relationships are formed and it’s really a beautiful thing.”

For information on the Idaho Falls Community Gardens, go to ifcga.org.