Deirdre Newman
Some plots boast roses the color of fire. Others have a tantalizing
array of fruits and vegetables. Some are sparsely planted, leaving a
lot of open space. Others are so dense with greenery they are
reminiscent of the Brazilian rain forest.
The diverse plots of the Del Mar Community Garden, which is run by
the city, reflect the varied interests of their tenders. Yet a common
refrain heard among these residents blessed with a green thumb is:
"It's in my blood."
The Del Mar Garden satiates the eternal hunger for gardening for
59 residents -- plus one person who has since moved. Many more are on
the waiting list.
Earlier this month, despite some objections, the City Council
approved a second community garden for a property on Charle and
Hamilton streets, which could be ready for planting by the end of the
year. This one will have 42 plots.
Mayor Gary Monahan and Councilman Allan Mansoor were on the losing
end of the 3-2 vote to approve the garden. Monahan suggested using
space in existing parks for another community garden, while Mansoor
tried to get a vote on a pocket park instead, which failed to muster
any support.
During all the discussions on the issue, many of the Del Mar
gardeners spoke in favor of another community garden.
"I've been a gardener at the Del Mar gardens for eight years and
I'm a real happy person today because I live in Costa Mesa," Kris
Gold said on July 7, before she shared some of her bounty with the
council members. "It's given me inner beauty to work in the garden."
A HISTORY OF GROWTH
The city purchased the parcel of land where the garden is now in
the 1970s with the intent of widening Del Mar Avenue, said Mark
Taylor, a management analyst with the recreation department. Two
houses and a barn on the site were removed to that end. When the
street widening project didn't pan out, the site lay vacant for a
number of years until a resident suggested it be turned into a
community garden. It opened in 1994 with approximately 40 parcels and
expanded to 60 around 2000, Taylor said.
The city maintains the general area and provides water and a
bathroom facility. The garden basically takes care of itself, Taylor
said.
"We don't come out that much except to clean weeds and make sure
everyone is following a few simple rules."
The guidelines include being considerate of your neighbors and not
putting up something so high that it casts shade on nearby plots,
Taylor explained.
Each gardener gets a 15' x 13' parcel. The one feature they all
