Seeds of success sown, interest grows in Garden of Eatin’

Nestled in the heart of the Esperanza campus is the Garden of Eatin’, our ever-expanding community garden.

Since its groundbreaking more than a decade ago, the garden has grown to 20 4-foot-by-12-foot raised beds – two demonstration beds and 18 available for rent to the public. The brainchild of a group of Esperanza members and neighbors, the garden has expanded over the years thanks to the enthusiasm of the gardeners and Boy Scouts whose Eagle projects increased the number of beds and improved hardscaping.

For $100 a year – or a pro-rated $10 a month, based on availability – gardeners get a bed, rich composted soil and watering from a drip system. Two master gardeners oversee the beds: Barb Pinske, an Esperanza member, and Bob Korhely.

Among those for whom the garden has become a joy to behold are Esperanza members Jayne Peterson and Craig Peck, who’ve each got some Midwestern gardening blood in them.

Peterson, an internal-medicine physician who teaches at Banner University Medical Center, is one of the first to “farm” a plot and now serves as president of the Garden of Eatin’ committee. The Peterson’s plot often stands out due to its towering artichoke plants!

Peck, a Southeast Valley real estate agent, keeps watch over the garden and its gardeners. He’s often seen midweek checking on crops and is one of those who guide the beginners to green success. He’s also dubbed the Compost King, for his expert management of the garden’s compost operation.

Both have recollections of grandparents having huge gardens.

“But Arizona gardening is quite different from midwestern gardening,” said Peterson, who grew up in Duluth, Minn., and has been involved with Esperanza’s Garden of Eatin’ since its inception more than a decade ago. “We have two main seasons here, spring and fall, and even a third in the summer for melons and peppers.

“I saw an item in the newsletter when they were planting the initial demonstration beds. I came for that. They had a master gardener there who taught us how to plant the seeds. Eventually, we got our own bed.”

Peterson says she has so many tomatoes that she brings the excess to church to give away each week.

Peck keeps an eye on both the garden and its gardeners. He can be found at the garden at least once a week fixing a broken sprinkler or checking on the compost operation. He’s earned his nickname, Compost King! And he agrees that bed owners are generous with any excess yield.

“People keep the produce for themselves, but there always is an abundance that is given away at our church,” he said. “And we go down to the food bank at Generation Church on the Warner-Elliot Loop where we give away a lot of vegetables.

“So many people come from the Midwest area, where everyone has a garden. They come here and get discouraged very quickly because its hot and dry and our seasons are totally different,” he said. “You cannot grow a garden here like you grow a garden back there. Our gardens happen September into April, maybe into May. You plant squash and cucumbers in April. We also have good luck with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, okra — all of those heat-loving plants. Many people planted a month ago and things are starting to grow, getting to be good size. People are still putting in spring-summer stuff through first part of June.”

Like Peterson, Peck got the green thumb from his grandfather.

“I’ve always loved gardening. I’ve been a gardener my whole life,” Peck said. “My Grandpa introduced me to gardening in Apache Junction. He had the most amazing sweet peas right here in Arizona. I remember he would pick sweet peas and give them to my grandma and then pass some around to all the ladies in the neighborhood.

“For the first time, I grew a bunch of sweet peas in our garden last year and the flowers bloomed in time for our Easter services. Sweet peas are massively fragrant and beautiful, and in all different colors.”

Garden of Eatin’ beds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Your water in your garden at home would cost you a hundred bucks,” Peck said. “Here, you get that covered, you get a bed with some great soil – we do own composting, you get the expertise of our master gardeners and you get the camaraderie with other gardeners. It’s pretty amazing.”

And, Peterson adds, everyone is welcome to come into the garden.

“It’s a really nice place to have a picnic lunch or a glass of wine at the end of the day,” Peterson said. “It’s a nice place to meet other people. Everyone is welcome to come in and explore and sit in there.”