When I decided Sunday to return to the Cleveland Community Garden about which I’d written last spring in conjunction with a book review, what transpired was not what I’d been expecting. In my mind I was arriving bearing gifts–a large plastic bag full of sheaves of arugula branches, each bearing multiple dried pods of delicate seeds. I wasn’t sure what reception I would get to the idea of arugula among a primarily Hispanic group of gardeners, but I was willing to offer them in the spirit of one gardener to another, knowing I was introducing the possibility of a winter of vital and yummy salad greens. I pulled into a tree covered dirt parking area about a half block from the gardens.

I decided to walk first to the home of a woman living close by who I knew had family members involved in the garden. I found her at home with her family. She remembered me, as did her small daughter, Perla, whom I invited to accompany me to the gardens, which she shyly accepted, possibly intrigued when she heard me ask mom for permission to photograph her! This must have been it, in fact, as I stepped across the street to shoot a flowering tree and when I returned mom was braiding Perla’s hair into two long braids. I found this very endearing.

The only folks on site when we entered the garden were a young man and his young wife who had come to work in their garden plots, which I soon learned were spectacular. After offering the couple several branches of the arugula, I indicated my interest in what they were growing.

Enter the surprise! As I walked around and admired their harvests I realized that beyond the tomatoes I clearly really didn’t know what I was looking at! It seemed there was almost nothing in this abundantly green jungle of a garden that would find its corresponding brother or sister in my garden! Closer inspection revealed various chiles, not something I have ever cultivated, and I quickly realized here was a real opportunity for some learning. Fortunately the young couple was happy to oblige and over the next 40 minutes or so, humbly and lovingly took me under their wings and walked me around and educated me on what a Mexican gardener has growing happily in his garden!

Tomatillos

Lupita, the wife, picked a tomatillo for me, and peeled off its husk revealing the small green tomato creature inside, which I noted immediately was slightly sticky. She patiently explained that they cook the tomatillos first in water, then chop and use as the primary ingredient in their green salsa.

Chile guero

Beginning to enjoy the lesson, they took turns pulling back the leaves of various plants to reveal various chiles hiding underneath, then teaching me the name and often the use as well. The chile guero is not that hot they assured me. On the other end of the spectrum is the chile arbol, a small black pointed chile that grew straight up from its branches. Look carefully!

Chile arbol

Next was a chile I knew: chile poblano, which you probably know is used to make chiles rellenos, which I used to make when Antonia was a little girl.

Chile poblano

Turning a corner I mercifully saw something I recognized–some kind of bean! It turned out to be rosa de castillo. Now that was new! Lupita shyly and kindly helped with their display.

Rosa de castillo

At this point Lupita drew me to an adjacent garden, marked with this little hanging flag.

In this section I found foods I was more familiar with and delighted to see! Lupita pulled back some leaves to reveal this tempting watermelon (sandia in Spanish).

Sandia

And close by were these familiar melons.

Melones

Lastly Martin pointed out a raggedy plant at the edge of a bed, looking for all the world like a weed. However, I recognized it as a plant Jack at the Farmer’s Market had just introduced me to–purslane, or, in Spanish, verdolagos. We would do well to learn to include in our diets.

Verdolagos

Being guided about by this lovely young quiet couple I became aware I was now fully engaged in the kind spirit of the Mexican people that I have been blessed to know and appreciate during many years of my life. This young couple, who spoke little English, took time out of their Sunday to help a stranger. They recognized my interest and sincerity and took that into their hearts and responded in kind. They are so representative of the kindhearted Mexican people I have met in my travels, and I felt incredibly blessed to be spending this time with them. As our time to part came upon us, they returned to their car parked nearby and suddenly were gently offering me a bag of vegetables which they had obviously picked just prior to my arrival. I graciously and heartfully accepted, with tears in my eyes. Here’s what Martin and Lupita sent home with me on Sunday afternoon:

A full bowl. A full heart.

Muchissimas gracias por venir. Que te vaya bien.

Besos y abrazos,
Catarina xoxoo

Posted on August 5th, 2008 by Kathryn
Filed under: People at Work | 17 Comments »

Arriving at Digging Dog is not a particularly easy feat, but it is spectacularly beautiful. One must first wend ones way through the Anderson Valley, home to many old wonderful wineries, followed by a slow snaking through an ancient sacred redwood forest, eventually coming along an old ever-widening river that leads one to a breathtaking emerging at ocean’s end. And now one must retrace back through a pygmy forest, arriving at a dirt road, back into the forest that is home to Digging Dog Nursery, one of America’s famed Destination Nurseries. My first visit was over a dozen years ago, spurred by one of my dearest friends, Marsha Mello, illustrator extraordinaire, and designer of Digging Dog’s logo and beautiful and unique catalogues.

So it was with great delight that I received a nursery gift certificate from Marsha, creating a wonderful excuse to drive out to a recent open house at Digging Dog to select from their vast and exquisite selections. More importantly, I knew I was in for an unparalleled visual treat, and I, and my friend, Eta, whom I invited along, were not disappointed.

Anticipation heightened simply arriving at the gate where Marsha’s whimsical imagery greeted me, making me smile.

Adding to our delight was a small (ironic) sign on the adjacent gate saying, “No dogs, please.”

Stepping inside the world that is Digging Dog we were immediately made to feel welcome by the lovely setting awaiting visitors, which included plates of homemade cookies, and yes, I helped myself! Delicious!

Visitors were given clipboards and carts, and were invited to browse among the vast array of unusual plants spread out on tarps, and under canopies. I found myself caught between the desire to select plants I would be bringing home to add to my own garden and an even greater desire to simply soak up the beauty that is Digging Dog. I managed to do both. Entering the grounds I was greeted by this inviting display.

Where to start? Where to start? Honestly? I could not in that moment even think of selecting and acquiring plants. I’d been there before and I had a sense of what awaited me, just up those stairs at the top of the page, through that entry, which is a round opening in a very tall beech hedge. And I’m going to take you with me where you will undoubtedly agree. Ready? Breathe…

Yes, it’s a lush as it appears. Once transported into that magic that is the creation of landscape designer Gary Ratway, there is scarce chance of turning back. One wants to linger, to enjoy, to soak up, to merge with the incredible beauty he has committed to creating. A true heaven on Earth.

Enjoy this bird’s eye view of the enchanting top of the pink bench awaiting you at that end:

This green stretch of pristine lawn stretches a good city block. Lining the sides one is treated to an endless array of gorgeous well-cared for perennials and bushes, lovingly and artfully juxtaposed, each section more breathtaking than the last. I will leave the naming to you, my darlings. I was there just for the experience itself.

Opposite end holds a second lovely ceramic chair, enfolded magically with darker wings.

Just as I thought my senses were saturated with the beauty, I stepped down out of this secluded spot, and was overwhelmed with the full realization that the entire 10-foot high beech hedge is flanked on the outside thusly:

As a gardener one cannot help but begin to think of the man hours it must take to create and maintain such splendor!

As the scope of this creation begins to fully envelope one, all sorts of imaginings are stirred in the soul, I do declare. How many of us have such a vision? What are the possibilities to co-create with plants, should we opt for such a luxury?

One thing is certain. Digging Dog undoubtedly stands tall next to many famed European gardens, and it is easy to understand why it was featured in Martha Stewart Living!

Pulling myself at last to my second task, I select the following lovelies to grace my garden. Lucky me. The pink and purple penstemons and red and yellow yarrows are familiar. The rest are a beauteous blur. Who cares?

As I am moving towards the exit I hear a worker calling out, and smile as I realize why other dogs were discouraged this day. It was Neptune, one of several Digging Dog resident canines, sneaking a peek at the day’s visitors. Hello, Neptune, you good boy, you!

Just then my lovely friend Eta appears with a special treasure to take to her own garden in Marin. It is a pink lupine, yes.

We are graciously greeted by horticulturist Deborah Whigham, co-founder and co-owner of Digging Dog Nursery, of which she can be extremely proud.

I do hope you find yourselves at her door some soft and gentle day.

Love and gardening blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Posted on July 23rd, 2008 by Kathryn
Filed under: Field Trips | 34 Comments »