Long Beach
9th District

While many parts of the country are blanketed in snow, Sunny Southern California gardeners are fortunate to be able to grow vegetables year-round, and Long Beach Organic (LBO) invites you to get started now in a plot at one of its community gardens.

In fact, winter is the optimal season to grow leafy greens and root vegetables which prefer cooler weather. This would include: salad greens, the entire cabbage family, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, chard, carrots, beets, radishes and onions. You name it! If we eat the leaves or roots, it is usually a winter crop. Peas, fava beans and artichokes also thrive in cooler weather. A couple of other favorable aspects of winter gardening in Southern California are, less weeding and watering to do.   Long Beach Organic was founded in 1994 to develop community gardens so residents can grow their own fresh, healthy, organic food. It manages nine community gardens throughout the city. Four of them have plots available now:   

• Mary Molina Community Garden: 1640 WEST 20^th St.
• Top of the Town Community Garden, at Atlantic and the 91 Freewa
• South 40 Community Garden, 2813 South Street
• Wrigley Village Community Garden, 2044 Pacific Avenue

Gardeners of all skill levels are welcome. The plots, which are 10 feet by 10 feet, are rented in six-month intervals. Fees are less than $10 a month. Water and tools are provided.  Rentals are open to everyone.