Garbage Garden a Blooming Success

What started six years ago as an effort to help reduce the amount of waste produced by the city of Ojai has blossomed into a secret garden of sorts.

Among the trees, vegetables, cactuses and flowers behind City Hall lie secrets that could help homeowners deter wildfires and plant prettier and more productive gardens.

“It was primarily started to address the need to reduce trash,” general services director Dan Singer said of the Ojai Community Eco-Demonstration Garden Project.

The garden served as a means to, in part, institute SB-939, mandating a 50% reduction in landfill-bound trash by 2000.

An informational kiosk near the side entrance to the garden, just off Ventura Street, informs visitors that 31% of garbage comes from yard trimmings. The demonstration garden helps accomplish the goal of SB-939 by teaching waste-reduction gardening practices and composting.

Now trash helps tomatoes grow and roses flourish in this natural classroom. Separate areas offer a chance for visitors to learn about habitat conservation, wetlands, landscaping to deter fire, water catchment systems, arboriculture and aquiculture.

Volunteers are primarily responsible for the upkeep of the garden.

The City Council gave its support Tuesday to proceed with a grant request for $76,580 from the Environmental Protection Agency to expand environmental education at the site.

If it is approved, it would allow the hiring of a part-time site manager and new programs and workshops.

Proposed topics include water conservation, materials reuse, green building, toxic waste prevention and integrated pest management.

In addition to the grant proposal, numerous local organizations have voiced their support, committing time and money to expanding the garden.

Caryn Bosson, director of the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation, said the group would do its part to help the garden by promoting it to people of all ages.

“It’s a little jewel,” Bosson said of the garden.