Courtesy of one of South Coast Botanic Garden's docents, my fellow docents and I were introduced to
Valmonte Farm & Garden earlier this week. Although it's operated in its current location attached to an elementary school less than 8 miles from my home since 2012, I wasn't aware of its existence until now. The garden had its genesis in 2001 when a local restaurateur proposed the idea of a "Seed to Plate" program to the former director of the local school district's special education program. Soon students in the
district's Transition to Independence Program began growing fresh vegetables for that restaurant in a small plot attached to a high school, eventually outgrowing the space before moving to its current 1.5 acre spot adjacent to a little league field. Valmonte Farm now supplies produce to 3 restaurants in nearby Redondo Beach and opens the farm and garden to the community for a farmer's market once a month.
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| In addition to the community partnerships referenced on the the garden gate, Valmonte works in collaboration with the ICAN California Abilities Network and periodically receives assistance from a local service club and the Boy Scouts |
The area inside the gates is dotted with a number of very large trees and the stark contrasts between sun and shade made it challenging to get good photographs so please bear with me.
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| I don't know the story behind the surfboards arranged under the tree just inside the garden gate but they're attention-grabbing |
Valmonte Farm & Garden arranged an off-schedule farmer's market for the docents' visit.
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| The offerings included beans, squash, carrots, kale and flowers. Just outside the range of this photo on the left was a lemonade stand, an array of fresh eggs, and a selection of baked goods. I took home fresh eggs and can provide a testimonial in favor of the gluten-free, low-sugar pumpkin muffins, which based on taste, I wouldn't have guessed were either. |
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| Suncatchers and market totes were also on sale. I thought the totes were a smart way to upcycle bird seed bags and I recall reading that the proceeds from the suncatcher sales are used to fund vet visits for the farm's cats. |
Nancy Lemargie, the garden manager, gave the group a brief history of the enterprise before leading the docents on a tour.
The staff's squeezed a lot into their 1.5 acres. The sunniest areas were allocated to the farm operation.
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| Although we're near the end of our long dry season, there was still a lot growing in the raised planters |
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| I ran into this fellow on my solo spin through the farm area before the majority of the docents arrived. He was on the hunt and I don't think he appreciated my presence. |
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| The docents on our tour |
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| A butterfly garden and a cow also occupied the sunny space |
There was more to see on the upper level of the garden.
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| I shot this photo from the farm area looking back at the upper level of the garden |
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| This structure is Nancy's office, which was constructed in part from recycled windows |
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| There's a sun porch featuring more recycled windows tacked onto the back of the office |
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| The garden also sells a variety of plants propagated by volunteers |
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| This deck is used for yoga practice |
There's also a large chicken enclosure and a greenhouse.
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| The chickens are fed well in exchange for their eggs. They also have a well-protected night enclosure to keep them safe from predators, which in this area includes coyotes. The back side of the shed adjacent to the chicken enclosure is decorated with tools and topped with solar panels. |
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| The garden has a greenhouse constructed from corrugated plastic |
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| I was sufficiently impressed with the structure to wonder where my husband and I could build something like this |
The docents enjoyed a wonderful lunch under the trees, courtesy of Kay, who organized our visit. You can get more information (and better photos) on the Valmonte Farm & Garden
webpage and
Instagram page.
Best wishes for a great weekend. I'm looking forward to the peace and quiet of a temporary construction-free zone.
All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
