• A girl and her garden.  This is what my garden at home looked like 6-years ago today.  It’s because of the success of this garden that the thought of creating a community garden was even made.  If my container garden ended up in failure, we wouldn’t be where we are today.  Not only did container gardening at that time help me to discover a gift I never realized I had, it also helped me through a VERY dark and difficult time in my life.  I found gardening to be a very useful tool to keep my mind preoccupied and sane without being medicated.  It was my therapy and life line to get through that difficult time.  Do I wish that dark period never happened?  I guess in hind site, although very hard, I don’t, because it helped me to discover something within me that I never knew existed, which was, a “green thumb”. I’m so very thankful for this little garden of mine I had years ago.  Never in my wildest dreams would I EVER think that it would eventually turn into a Community Garden just 2 short years later.  I’m so extremely thankful for it all as I sit here reflecting on this moment in time and how far we’ve both come and evolved through these last 6 years.  Every day I wake up I’m thankful, and I look forward to our life and growth together as we continue down this path at Highland’s Giving Garden. 👩‍🌾
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    A girl and her garden. This is what my garden at home looked like 6-years ago today. It’s because of the success of this garden that the thought of creating a community garden was even made. If my container garden ended up in failure, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Not only did container gardening at that time help me to discover a gift I never realized I had, it also helped me through a VERY dark and difficult time in my life. I found gardening to be a very useful tool to keep my mind preoccupied and sane without being medicated. It was my therapy and life line to get through that difficult time. Do I wish that dark period never happened? I guess in hind site, although very hard, I don’t, because it helped me to discover something within me that I never knew existed, which was, a “green thumb”. I’m so very thankful for this little garden of mine I had years ago. Never in my wildest dreams would I EVER think that it would eventually turn into a Community Garden just 2 short years later. I’m so extremely thankful for it all as I sit here reflecting on this moment in time and how far we’ve both come and evolved through these last 6 years. Every day I wake up I’m thankful, and I look forward to our life and growth together as we continue down this path at Highland’s Giving Garden. 👩‍🌾
  • In times like these I’m so proud to know that our community garden is an essential space to our community.  In the last week we have been able to donate over 250 pounds of our gardens freshest to the Family Service Association of Redlands to help feed those that are struggling to make ends meet for them and their families.  Not only that, it’s been a place where our gardeners have come to enjoy the outdoors while practicing social distancing.  There is lots of space out there to enjoy.  On April 29th we’ll be celebrating our 4 year Anniversary!  Boy have we come a long way! 😁
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#Cabbage #Tomatoes #Eggplant #Kale #Oranges #Carrots #Turnips #Lettuce
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    In times like these I’m so proud to know that our community garden is an essential space to our community. In the last week we have been able to donate over 250 pounds of our gardens freshest to the Family Service Association of Redlands to help feed those that are struggling to make ends meet for them and their families. Not only that, it’s been a place where our gardeners have come to enjoy the outdoors while practicing social distancing. There is lots of space out there to enjoy. On April 29th we’ll be celebrating our 4 year Anniversary! Boy have we come a long way! 😁 . . #Cabbage #Tomatoes #Eggplant #Kale #Oranges #Carrots #Turnips #Lettuce
  • Officially made it to Farmer status! Woot! 👩‍🌾
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    Officially made it to Farmer status! Woot! 👩‍🌾
  • While I was out watering the garden today I found this egg sitting on top of the soil inside one of the garden beds.  I feel sad that I probably destroyed the nest when I removed the luffa off the cattle panel trellis.  It looks too big to be a hummingbird egg.  Anyone able to identify what kind of bird it may have been from?
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    While I was out watering the garden today I found this egg sitting on top of the soil inside one of the garden beds. I feel sad that I probably destroyed the nest when I removed the luffa off the cattle panel trellis. It looks too big to be a hummingbird egg. Anyone able to identify what kind of bird it may have been from?
  • Stop and notice the beauty that surrounds us 🌻
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    Stop and notice the beauty that surrounds us 🌻
  • Our loofahs from last year are finally starting to dry out beautifully!  I was able to harvest eight more loofahs today. 😁❤️👍
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    Our loofahs from last year are finally starting to dry out beautifully! I was able to harvest eight more loofahs today. 😁❤️👍
  • We love when people in our community paint rocks and place them in our garden for all to enjoy.  They bring so much joy and happiness to so many when their found.
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    We love when people in our community paint rocks and place them in our garden for all to enjoy. They bring so much joy and happiness to so many when their found.
  • Thank you Girl Scout Troop 33.  The Bee Hotel is looking great!  Love all of the newly painted rocks added to and around the building.  The bees are loving it! 🐝 🐝 🐝
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    Thank you Girl Scout Troop 33. The Bee Hotel is looking great! Love all of the newly painted rocks added to and around the building. The bees are loving it! 🐝 🐝 🐝
  • Nature at its best.  I love the turquoise blue color on his skin.  So pretty. 💙
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    Nature at its best. I love the turquoise blue color on his skin. So pretty. 💙
  • About to make it’s debut 🍄
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    About to make it’s debut 🍄
  • Sometimes when harvesting the garden, Mother Nature likes to show us how humorous she really can be. 😂
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    Sometimes when harvesting the garden, Mother Nature likes to show us how humorous she really can be. 😂
  • Another must have is the Mariposa Plum!  So delicious!
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    Another must have is the Mariposa Plum! So delicious!
  • Guys!  Out of all of the fruit we’ve had growing at the garden that we’ve harvested so far, these Dapple Dandy Pluots are by far the BEST tasting fruits we’ve harvested and donated this week.  These were A-MAZING!  If you ever come across these trees at your local nursery, they are a must have and grow!  Hands down!  Thank you to the Incredible Edibles Community Garden for donating this tree to us.  This is a winner of a tree with the most delicious fruit! ❤️ @davewilsonnursery
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    Guys! Out of all of the fruit we’ve had growing at the garden that we’ve harvested so far, these Dapple Dandy Pluots are by far the BEST tasting fruits we’ve harvested and donated this week. These were A-MAZING! If you ever come across these trees at your local nursery, they are a must have and grow! Hands down! Thank you to the Incredible Edibles Community Garden for donating this tree to us. This is a winner of a tree with the most delicious fruit! ❤️ @davewilsonnursery
  • Being that I had no clue how to tell if a watermelon is ready or not, I harvested one of our Moon & Star (Van Doren) watermelons hanging from our cattle panel trellis and brought it home to cut open to see the results.  It was definitely ready!  It was juicy and delicious!  I’ll be saving the seeds to grow again and harvesting the rest of the watermelons hanging from their T-shirt hammocks to donate to our local food bank.  I think that from this growing season I finally know what to look for to tell when a watermelon is ready to harvest.
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    Being that I had no clue how to tell if a watermelon is ready or not, I harvested one of our Moon & Star (Van Doren) watermelons hanging from our cattle panel trellis and brought it home to cut open to see the results. It was definitely ready! It was juicy and delicious! I’ll be saving the seeds to grow again and harvesting the rest of the watermelons hanging from their T-shirt hammocks to donate to our local food bank. I think that from this growing season I finally know what to look for to tell when a watermelon is ready to harvest.
  • Growing sunflowers is so much fun to watch grow🌻🐝
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    Growing sunflowers is so much fun to watch grow🌻🐝
  • Well this certainly is interesting...these 2 Caserta Squashes are fused together. 😳
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    Well this certainly is interesting...these 2 Caserta Squashes are fused together. 😳
  • One year and 7 months ago, Ana planted this fruit tree at our garden which was donated to us by The Incredible Edible Community Garden.  It’s amazing to see how much this tree has grown in such a short amount of time.  And to think this is AFTER Jerry cut it back.  You should have seen it before.
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    One year and 7 months ago, Ana planted this fruit tree at our garden which was donated to us by The Incredible Edible Community Garden. It’s amazing to see how much this tree has grown in such a short amount of time. And to think this is AFTER Jerry cut it back. You should have seen it before.
  • I absolutely love when our garden can pay it forward to those in our community.  This is Amy Joens.  She manages the Loma Linda Community Garden.  They are in the process of renewing the community garden after going some time without it being active, but with Amy’s help, they are back up and running again.  They are in the process of building a spiral herb garden and was looking for anyone in the community that could help them out to achieve this goal.  Paying it forward by giving them plants and clipping to help them out was the least we could do, especially with all the help and support we’ve been given through the years as well.  Together we can all make a difference and make great changes in our community. 👩‍🌾👨‍🌾
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    I absolutely love when our garden can pay it forward to those in our community. This is Amy Joens. She manages the Loma Linda Community Garden. They are in the process of renewing the community garden after going some time without it being active, but with Amy’s help, they are back up and running again. They are in the process of building a spiral herb garden and was looking for anyone in the community that could help them out to achieve this goal. Paying it forward by giving them plants and clipping to help them out was the least we could do, especially with all the help and support we’ve been given through the years as well. Together we can all make a difference and make great changes in our community. 👩‍🌾👨‍🌾
  • I really HATE seeing signs like this near the garden in the neighborhood!  Especially since product like this causes cancer, and decreases the lives our very necessary bees at the garden!  Not happy! I’ve made a call to the city and left a message! 😤😡🤬 #MonsantoKiller #WeedKiller #WeedSpray #Causeofcancer #KillingBees #NoMoreBees #Peace #savethebees #necessaryWeedKilling #HilandCalifornia #highlandca #CityOfHighland #CityOfHighlandCalifornia #CityOfHighlandCA #RangerPro #RangerProPoison #RoundUp #RoundUpPoison
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    I really HATE seeing signs like this near the garden in the neighborhood! Especially since product like this causes cancer, and decreases the lives our very necessary bees at the garden! Not happy! I’ve made a call to the city and left a message! 😤😡🤬 #MonsantoKiller #WeedKiller #WeedSpray #Causeofcancer #KillingBees #NoMoreBees #Peace #savethebees #necessaryWeedKilling #HilandCalifornia #highlandca #CityOfHighland #CityOfHighlandCalifornia #CityOfHighlandCA #RangerPro #RangerProPoison #RoundUp #RoundUpPoison
  • Trying to decide what to plant for this upcoming fall season that our local food banks would love to add to their inventory so they can cook meals for people in need. What do you think? 🤔💭
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    Trying to decide what to plant for this upcoming fall season that our local food banks would love to add to their inventory so they can cook meals for people in need. What do you think? 🤔💭
  • Per The Old Farmers Almanac it says to finish pruning spring-flowering shrubs by mid month.  Time to deadhead the dried up flowers on this plant. #beforeandafter
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    Per The Old Farmers Almanac it says to finish pruning spring-flowering shrubs by mid month. Time to deadhead the dried up flowers on this plant. #beforeandafter
  • Monarch 🐛
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#Caterpillar #Monarch #MonarchCaterpillar #CommunityGarden #HighlandsGivingGarden #hgg #MilkWeed #Garden #Gardening #gardener
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    Monarch 🐛 . . #Caterpillar #Monarch #MonarchCaterpillar #CommunityGarden #HighlandsGivingGarden #hgg #MilkWeed #Garden #Gardening #gardener
  • Another flower arrangement from the garden 🌻
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    Another flower arrangement from the garden 🌻
  • Our Santa Rosa Plum tree has been harvested.  Thank you to @theiecgarden for donating this tree to our garden.  The fruit from this tree will feed many in our community that are hungry. 😁
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    Our Santa Rosa Plum tree has been harvested. Thank you to @theiecgarden for donating this tree to our garden. The fruit from this tree will feed many in our community that are hungry. 😁
  • 1-Month update on the Cattle Panel Garden & one of the  Blacktail Mountain Watermelon plants growing up the side of the panel which will also provide us with shade once it’s all covered with growth that will eventually trellis over.
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    1-Month update on the Cattle Panel Garden & one of the Blacktail Mountain Watermelon plants growing up the side of the panel which will also provide us with shade once it’s all covered with growth that will eventually trellis over.
  • Today's harvest was by far the most we've donated to Family Service Association of Redlands to date!  With donations of all the fruit from the trees that I've shared in earlier posts, as well as, Squash, Onions, Zucchini's, Crooked Neck Squash, Carrots, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Cucumbers, and Banana Peppers.  We also received additional donations from our fellow gardeners, Debbie Hamlin-Karalun, Jerry & Robin Poupard, Mary & Alan Thomason, and Karla Weaver that contributed to the pile from their garden beds at home, and from their beds at the garden.  What a load!  I'm truly amazed to see how much our little garden and our gardens at home are able to provide to those in need in our community.  We were able to donate a total of....get this....252 pounds of our gardens freshest! 😲 WOW! 😲  Thank you all so much for helping to make a difference in so many lives!  This is absolutely amazing and will bless so many! 😋
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    Today's harvest was by far the most we've donated to Family Service Association of Redlands to date! With donations of all the fruit from the trees that I've shared in earlier posts, as well as, Squash, Onions, Zucchini's, Crooked Neck Squash, Carrots, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Cucumbers, and Banana Peppers. We also received additional donations from our fellow gardeners, Debbie Hamlin-Karalun, Jerry & Robin Poupard, Mary & Alan Thomason, and Karla Weaver that contributed to the pile from their garden beds at home, and from their beds at the garden. What a load! I'm truly amazed to see how much our little garden and our gardens at home are able to provide to those in need in our community. We were able to donate a total of....get this....252 pounds of our gardens freshest! 😲 WOW! 😲 Thank you all so much for helping to make a difference in so many lives! This is absolutely amazing and will bless so many! 😋
  • Green Gage Plums
Harvested a ton of these plums last night while deep watering all of our fruit trees at the garden.  These are the juiciest plums I’ve ever tasted!  Thank you to the Incredible Edible Community Garden for donating this tree to our garden.
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    Green Gage Plums Harvested a ton of these plums last night while deep watering all of our fruit trees at the garden. These are the juiciest plums I’ve ever tasted! Thank you to the Incredible Edible Community Garden for donating this tree to our garden.
  • July Alberta Peach 🍑 
With a filled to the max with fruit forcing branches to snap right off the trunk we were forced to harvest early.  We are hoping that if left out they’ll ripen with time.  We harvested a wheelbarrow full of these very prolific peaches.  That I you to the volunteers that came out to help me harvest this tree this morning.  You’re help is always and truly appreciated.

@carolynstagnaro Thank you for donating this tree to our garden.  These are the fruits from the tree you donated to our garden from @cherryvalleynursery
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    July Alberta Peach 🍑 With a filled to the max with fruit forcing branches to snap right off the trunk we were forced to harvest early. We are hoping that if left out they’ll ripen with time. We harvested a wheelbarrow full of these very prolific peaches. That I you to the volunteers that came out to help me harvest this tree this morning. You’re help is always and truly appreciated. @carolynstagnaro Thank you for donating this tree to our garden. These are the fruits from the tree you donated to our garden from @cherryvalleynursery
  • Double Jewel Peach 🍑 
Our first harvest from this tree.  Thank you @cherryvalleynursery for having a buy 3 get the 4th tree free deal at your nursery, and @carolynstagnaro for donating the 4th free tree to our garden.  I ate a peach to see what it tasted like and it was amazing!  So juicy!  The food bank is going to LOVE these in their pantry.
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    Double Jewel Peach 🍑 Our first harvest from this tree. Thank you @cherryvalleynursery for having a buy 3 get the 4th tree free deal at your nursery, and @carolynstagnaro for donating the 4th free tree to our garden. I ate a peach to see what it tasted like and it was amazing! So juicy! The food bank is going to LOVE these in their pantry.
  • Today our garden donated a whopping 69 pounds of freshly picked lettuce, zucchini’s, Patty pan, green beans, crooked neck squash, tomatoes, parsley, artichokes, and peppers.  Thank you Debbie and Chelsea for donating Swiss chard from your garden beds. 😁👍
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    Today our garden donated a whopping 69 pounds of freshly picked lettuce, zucchini’s, Patty pan, green beans, crooked neck squash, tomatoes, parsley, artichokes, and peppers. Thank you Debbie and Chelsea for donating Swiss chard from your garden beds. 😁👍
  • A little bit of heaven from the garden made its way home with me today.  I couldn’t bare throwing these sunflowers into the compost since I had to do some trimming back in our pathways.  Everything is growing so fast and so big.
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    A little bit of heaven from the garden made its way home with me today. I couldn’t bare throwing these sunflowers into the compost since I had to do some trimming back in our pathways. Everything is growing so fast and so big.
  • Happy First Day of Summer! ⛅️ From our garden to yours 🌱
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    Happy First Day of Summer! ⛅️ From our garden to yours 🌱
  • More wild flowers at the garden.  The colors on these flowers are so bright and beautiful!  I love them!  Thank you Christy Gray for taking the time to spread the seeds.  I love the variety we have on display.  Absolutely gorgeous! 💜💙💛
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    More wild flowers at the garden. The colors on these flowers are so bright and beautiful! I love them! Thank you Christy Gray for taking the time to spread the seeds. I love the variety we have on display. Absolutely gorgeous! 💜💙💛
  • Wild flowers in full bloom and they are absolutely bright and beautiful.
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    Wild flowers in full bloom and they are absolutely bright and beautiful.
  • I can not begin to tell you how much I appreciate Mrs. Wendy’s Little Worker Bees from the Highland Congregational Preschool Kindergarten Daycare that come to the garden to help me out.  Every morning I can hear them from across the parking lot yelling...”Mrs. TracEy!!!”. It is the warmest feeling knowing how much they love coming to the garden to help me out and to attend to their classroom garden bed.  They are so full of excitement and hugs!  These little bees buzz around the garden helping me in so many ways.  It’s truly an amazing thing to watch them all work together as a team to get work done.  They are so eager to learn.  Anything I try to teach them they hover around me in full attention soaking up all the information that I have to tell them.  They have become my favorite part of my day while I’m at the garden.  Thank you Mrs. Wendy for allowing your hive of bees to come and be a part of the garden to learn, especially to help out where help is needed.  These little bees have stolen a piece of my heart.  I’ll miss them once they move on to their new hives.
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    I can not begin to tell you how much I appreciate Mrs. Wendy’s Little Worker Bees from the Highland Congregational Preschool Kindergarten Daycare that come to the garden to help me out. Every morning I can hear them from across the parking lot yelling...”Mrs. TracEy!!!”. It is the warmest feeling knowing how much they love coming to the garden to help me out and to attend to their classroom garden bed. They are so full of excitement and hugs! These little bees buzz around the garden helping me in so many ways. It’s truly an amazing thing to watch them all work together as a team to get work done. They are so eager to learn. Anything I try to teach them they hover around me in full attention soaking up all the information that I have to tell them. They have become my favorite part of my day while I’m at the garden. Thank you Mrs. Wendy for allowing your hive of bees to come and be a part of the garden to learn, especially to help out where help is needed. These little bees have stolen a piece of my heart. I’ll miss them once they move on to their new hives.
  • Today we were able to harvest and donate 3.4 pounds worth of radishes from the garden to Family Service Association of Redlands.  Not to shabby of a harvest for just radishes.
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    Today we were able to harvest and donate 3.4 pounds worth of radishes from the garden to Family Service Association of Redlands. Not to shabby of a harvest for just radishes.