Growing Tomatoes, Peppers - and a Community

In the early summer evening, gardeners are still working away on their plots near Golf Course Island. From North Shore Drive, it is obvious that the gardens are there. But as you walk up to the garden plots, the lushness and variety of flowers and herbs, vegetables (both familiar and exotic) is impressive.

Gena VanValkenburgh, coordinator of the Golf Course Island Garden (one of four community gardens in Reston), swings open the gate and starts pointing out the different garden plots and the people behind them.

Some gardeners have had community garden plots for over 25 years.  All types of people can be found here - retirees, otherwise busy professionals, singles and families.

VanValkenburgh herself is a 15-year veteran, with a well-established plot boasting tomatoes, grapes, peppers and cucumbers, among others.

"I feel healthier being here," she says. "Not only because of the food I grow, but just being here. Digging dirt, pulling weeds can be very meditative."

VanValkenburgh gardens almost 10 months of the year. She already has 25 pounds of tomato sauce, made from tomatoes from her little plot, frozen and ready to be enjoyed all winter.

Gardeners frequently donate some of their abundant crops to Reston Interfaith, so families in need can enjoy fresh produce.

The gardens are almost always busy. Seniors stop by early nearly every day to tend to their space. Parents with young ones stop by in the afternoon, after school or after the pool.  Many people come by before dinner to pick some flowers for the table or herbs for their meal. Others spend a long time once a week and make lots of progress.

"The gardens are extremely important to Reston," says Patricia Greenburg, Environmental Resource Supervisor with Reston Association. "Reston is a Tree City and most of our land is forested so people do not have sunny spaces to grow sun loving plants. Many people want garden plots to share the experience with their children and others need, love or want the organic fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers."

Reston Association has 270 garden plots in four locations (Golf Course Island, Lake Anne, Hunters Woods I and II). The garden plots are located in gas pipeline easement areas that could not otherwise be used for a permanent building.

There is currently a waiting list for a garden plot. Most people are assigned a space within two years, Greenburg said.  Reston Association has no current plans to expand the garden plot program, but would consider doing so if possible. Plots rent from to $20 to $133 per year, depending on the size, and are only rented to Reston Association members.

Water for gardening is available on all sites. Composting is encouraged, with big bins on the far side of the gardens.  (Pesticides and fertilizers are only allowed  in the  Lake Anne garden).

Deer are discouraged by a 10 foot high deer fence; birds kept away by netting or scarecrows. Van Valkenburgh reports seeing a good-sized black snake and credits it with keeping the rodent population under control.

New to the garden scene this year are two beehives. Beekeeper (and gardener) Todd Harding installed the hives and nurtured the colony for the first year. Now the bees are on their own, and enjoying the bounty at the garden plots. The plants all benefit and the environment has been strengthened with the introduction of the bees.

Harding does not expect to harvest much honey, but is pleased to support the gardens and bolster the bee population. Beehives are also established at Hunters Woods Gardens I/II.

Greenburg says that the garden plots help give that community feeling to Reston.

That is very apparent at Golf Course Island Gardens. Each garden area has its own personality - some are all business, using every last inch to the maximum planting and high yields. Others are more like a backyard garden, with a chair or bench and walkways, wind chimes or outdoor art.

 Gardeners help each other with advice and reciprocate watering and weeding. In general, gardeners are allowed to grow what they like and design their space the way they like.

 Reston Association checks for the growth of invasive plants, untended garden plots and maintains the area around the gardens. Reston Association also provides leaf mulch in the winter,

For more information about the Reston community gardens, contact Reston Association's Central Services Facility at (703) 437-7658 or CSFstaff@reston.org.