A Year-End Reflection and A Look Ahead

By Carol Lockwood

2023 has been another amazing and productive year! We kicked off the year with our Garden Membership program, an annual giving program (just $35per year) that provides SCCG with funding to host free educational programs and special events that benefit the garden and brings the community together.

The Spring rains did wonders, producing bounties of food and flowers and attracted lots of bees, birds, and butterflies. Unfortunately, the wet season was followed by warm weather, which encouraged an abundance of unwanted weeds and other growth, including hungry critters. Our SCCG gardeners showed their determination to beat the odds with an inspiring variety of garden structures. From PVC piping to herbal teas, to fully custom designed containment structures, SCCG plots have proven to be an impressive display of gardening resilience and ingenuity!

In addition to hosting monthly Garden Education Workshops, Alphabet Soup Storytime, Yoga in the Garden, and our annual Spring and Fall Festival, SCCG successfully piloted Playtime in the Garden, a summer program for young families and a Summer Concert Series, which brought the community and local musicians together for three magical evenings of music and storytelling in the beauty of our Garden.

Our community partnerships and volunteers also made significant impacts. From the construction and maintenance of our six Food Pantry Plots to the installation of our beautiful Jacaranda tree; to the ongoing care of the Orchard, Native Plant and Succulent Gardens, Pollinator Bed, Rose Garden, and all the in-between spaces, the SCCG Leadership Team is grateful beyond words to the many volunteers who diligently contributed their time, sweat and talents to create a beautiful and thriving community garden.

As gardeners, we learn to appreciate and grow through the experience and lessons learned that comes with the changing of a season. Although I am retiring as chair of the SCCG Leadership Team, I consider it a privilege to continue working with all of those dedicated to “Growing Community” on this beautiful corner in San Carlos.

Happy gardening and best wishes in the year ahead!

Carol Lockwood, Founding Member of SCCG