Garden Milestones
Pacifica Gardens 2008
Pacifica Gardens broke ground on April 12th, 2008. By the end of the year the garden included 24 vegetable beds, 2 native plant beds, 2 herb beds, 2 flower beds, a greenhouse, six apple trees, and vermiculture and compost bins. Over the course of the year 670 pounds of crops and 15 cubic yards of compost were harvested. 2008 also saw the beginning of garden education programs for school children and adults, the first Fundraising Dinner, and first annual Native Plant Sale. In detail:
Garden
- Created and planted 24 vegetable beds
- Created and planted 6 native plant, herb and flower beds
- Planted 6 apple trees
- Built a greenhouse
- Built composters and worm bins from reclaimed materials
- Built 22 compost piles
Education
- Launched and piloted our school education program
- Conducted our first school education program field trip for third grade students, including three “class” stations and harvesting of produce to take home
- Launched our adult education program with workshops in composting and backyard vegetable gardening
Fundraising
- Held first annual "100-mile meal" Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction
- Held first annual Native Plant sale
Pacifica Gardens 2009
With the steady support of volunteers, donors, and granting institutions, Pacifica Gardens grew considerably in 2009. With the additional work done in 2009, the number of crop beds grew to 41, a total of 20 fruit trees made up the mini-orchard, 500 square feet of blueberries were planted, and a culinary herb bed was created. 2,100 pounds of fruits, vegetables, and grains -- and 46 cubic yards of compost -- were harvested. Of the crop harvest, 320 pounds were donated to local organizations through the recently established Food Donation Program. The garden participated in many community activities, such as Earth Day and Turn Off the TV Week, expanded the school education program, and developed a Youth Community Service program. Fundraising efforts included a Fall Vegetable Starts Sale, the annual Native Plants Sale, and an Online Auction. In detail:
Garden
- Planted an additional 14 fruit trees to our mini orchard
- Planted 500 square feet of blueberries
- Sheet mulched a 500 foot area adjacent to the mini orchard as a demonstration method for soil enrichment and weed control
- Dug and planted an additional 500 square feet of crop beds
- Planted a culinary herb bed
- St. Bartholomew's Church-YAC group, from Atlanta, Georgia came and helped build, fill and plant the ADA/Senior beds
- Completed construction of a permanent fence
- Harvested 2,100 lbs of fruits, vegetables and grain
- Created 46 cubic yards of compost
- Held 36 Saturday Work Days
Education
- Formalized and expanded our school education program to include field trips in Spring and Fall. On May 28, 2009 we were visited by 30+ fourth graders who learned about nitrogen fixing, seed germination and worm composting. Students assisted in harvesting and preparing a salad that was shared at lunch.
- Held a Seed Saving Workshop
- Held summer activities for “Circle of Friends” Day Camp at Linda Mar Education Center
Community
- Participated in Earth Day, providing composting demonstrations, garden tours and planting instruction, 50+ visitors
- Participated in Turn Off TV Week, providing two evenings of garden tours and children’s activities
- Launched our Food Donation Program, partnering with Pacifica Resource Center and St. Edmunds’ Church to provide fresh, organic produce for families in need. On June 8, 2009, we made our first donation to the Pacifica Resource Center: 37 heads of lettuce, 6 lbs. of kale, 3.5 lbs. of collards and parsley and cilantro.
- Began a Teen Community Service program
- Pacifica Gardens was a bonus garden on the Pacifica Garden Club public tour, Gardens by the Sea; 150+ people visited the project
- Held Volunteer Appreciation Halloween Costume Party at Sam Mazza Foundation castle
Fundraising
- Held Fall Vegetable Start Sale
- Held second annual Native Plant Sale
- Established process for and executed first On-Line Auction
Pacifica Gardens 2010
The main emphasis of Pacific Gardens development in 2010 was the solidification of the garden's basic infrastructure. With funds generously donated by the Sam Mazza Foundation, the garden was able to drill a new agricultural well, purchase and install an irrigation system, and beautify the face of the garden by installing a decorative garden-inspired, custom-built, iron front gate to cap off the perimeter fence built in the previous year. 2010 also saw the Food Donation program expand to donate over 500 pounds of garden-harvested produce to Pacificans-in-need. The Children's Education program grew to about 200 elementary school student visits. And meanwhile, garden volunteers continued supporting the community with several garden-hosted events and maintained established annual fundraising efforts. In detail:
Garden
- Drilled a new agricultural well
- Installed a new irrigation system
- Installed a new decorative garden-inspired, custom-built, iron front gate
- Assembled and installed a second donated greenhouse
- Sheet mulched the entire perimeter of the garden along the fence for weed control
- Sheet mulched the back 4,000 sq foot area adjacent to the mini orchard as a demonstration method for soil enrichment and weed control
- Harvested 1,500 lbs of fruits, vegetables and grain
- Created 35 cubic yards of compost
- Held 36 Saturday Work Days
Education
- Expanded our school education program to about 200 participating elementary school kids ranging from Kindergarten through 7th grade. The students planted and harvested a few crops and the older grades learned about nitrogen fixing, seed germination and worm composting.
- Hosted several county-sponsored Master Composter workshops.
- Provided garden space and guidance for several home-schooled families.
Community
- Participated in Earth Day, providing Master Composter demonstrations, Master Gardener information, garden tours and general instruction of gardening operations
- Expanded our Food Donation Program, partnering with Pacifica Resource Center and St. Edmunds’ Church to provide over 500 pounds of fresh, organic produce for families in need.
- Continued the Youth Community Service program allowing teens to gain community service credits by volunteering at the garden
- Pacifica Gardens was a bonus garden on the Pacifica Garden Club public tour, Gardens by the Sea
Fundraising
- Held Spring Vegetable Start Sale
- Held third annual Native Plant Sale
- Held second "100-mile meal" Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction, with support from Google chef Oliva Wu, and Bon Appetit Management Company.
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