“If you don’t think your surroundings are beautiful, then you won’t go outside, move, connect with others, or be active.”


the shade of the garden’s gazebo. The group chatted about which plants might grow best in the Northern California climate. As the midmorning meeting continued, a regular nick-


named Frenchy introduced an impromptu agenda item. “The Vietnamese community is not represented at the garden,” he said. “We have a special urban situation here, with different cultures all getting along—but where are the Vietnamese?” Frenchy is a retired structural iron worker who Daniel had described to me as “unofficial mayor of the garden.” The group joined Frenchy in a brainstorm about how to reach out to their Vietnamese neighbors. They discussed potential obstacles, including language barriers and the fact that temple hours conflicted with gardening hours. Next, another garden member shared her concerns about the inadequacy of the compost bin, triggering animated discussion about the merits of vermicompost— composting with worms—as well as techniques for smarter bin design. Without any formal closure, conversations began to splinter off. I heard two women talking about 58 · LAND&PEOPLE · SPRING/SUMMER 2014


a PTA meeting. Nearby, two others were still debating vermiculture. Marina, a member of the Canal Community Council, conferred with a fellow gardener. Her grand- daughter, Arianna, danced off toward the vegetable beds to play with the other children. Frenchy, whose given name is Robert, turned and began telling me how he credits the exercise and fresh vegetables he gets at the garden for radically improving his Parkin- son’s symptoms. “This place is good for the body and soul,” he said. “It’s also given me the best tomatoes I’ve eaten since I was 14 years old.” His friend Julio came over to join our conversation. Last


year, Julio’s doctor told him he should adopt a plant-based diet to try and lower his cholesterol. “I’ve lost 23 pounds in nine months,“ he told me proudly. “Frenchy is a real inspiration to me. He is reversing his Parkinson’s disease. He rides his bike here every day to tend his plot. So I know I can fix my health problem.” By then, the gazebo meeting had transformed into a


potluck social. Tinfoil and Saran wrap were peeled back to reveal homemade offerings for an early lunch. Compli-


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