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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Docs » Community Garden » Garden Info

History of our Garden

Inspired by the People's Garden Initiative, the USDA Agricultural Research Service (WRRC and PGEC) and Forest Service in Albany, CA, have established an educational and community outreach garden. On May 18th, 2009, part of the front lawn of the building was rototilled and drip irrigation was installed to create the garden.

 

It is planted, tended and harvested by USDA volunteers, as well as by 3rd grade pupils from the nearby Ocean View Elementary school. The bountiful produce from the garden is donated to local food banks or used in community outreach or local garden eduction activities.

 

Be sure to check the photo story of the garden's beginning, the plant layouts for this current and past seasons, and articles and public mentions.

 

Donating Produce

 

We donate large amounts of fresh produce to local food banks and soup kitchens.

 

In 2012 we donated 1795 lbs of produce to a local soup kitchen.

 

In 2011 we donated over 2252 lbs of produce to local food banks and soup kitchens.

 

In 2010 we donated over 640 lbs of produce. Nationwide, the USDA People's Gardens donated over 134,000 lbs of produce in 2010.

In 2009 we donated ~185 lbs of produce. Nationwide, the USDA People's Gardens donated over 34,000 lbs of produce in 2009.

 

 

 

What We Grow

 

We plant a large variety of edible crops.  So far we have planted:

 

Artichokes (2009)

Arugula (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Basil (2009, 2010, 2011)

Beets (2009, 2010)

Broccoli (2009, 2010, 2012)

Brussels Sprouts (2009, 2012)

Cabbage (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Carrots (2010, 2011, 2012)

Corn (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Cucumbers (2010, 2011, 2012)

Fava Beans as cover crop (2009, 2010, 2011)

Fennel  (2010)

Garlic (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Green Beans (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Kale (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Kohlrabi (2010, 2011, 2012)

Lettuce (Red Leaf and Green Leaf) (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Onion, Red or Yellow (2010, 2011, 2012)

Parsley (2010)

Peppers, Hot (Jalapeno and Pasilla)  (2010)

Peppers, Mild (bell peppers) (2009, 2010)

Perilla/Shiso, Red (2010)

Potatoes (2010, 2011, 2012)

Radishes (2010, 2011)

Sunflowers (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Tomatillos (2012)

Tomatoes (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Winter squash, Delicata (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Winter squash, Butternut and Pumpkin (2009, 2010, 2012)

Zucchini (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)