Dimarly Suarez’s garden plot at Place Bridge Academy Community Garden is thriving. There’s an enormous cauliflower plant–with a small head of cauliflower nestled right in the middle of it. Some flowers for the pollinators and a few tomatoes. And more basil and eggplant than Dimarly knows what to do with.
It was a successful year of growing for Dimarly, a second-year gardener. She’s a quick learner. She’s also had a lot of help.
Dimarly’s first attempt at gardening was not a success. Like many people, Dimarly got curious about growing food during the COVID-19 pandemic. She did research online and tried planting a few things outside of her townhome. “I think I got two things to grow,” she said, laughing.
The next year, she found DUG. She signed up for a community garden plot, ordered seeds and seedlings through DUG’s Grow a Garden program, and said yes to an offer to get support from an experienced gardener.
She was paired with Kathi O’Sullivan, the volunteer Garden Leader at Place Bridge Academy Community Garden. Kathi joined Dimarly when she picked up her Grow a Garden kit and gave her tips on what to do with the seedlings and seeds she received. She also encouraged the new gardener to ask questions.
“Every time I had a question, she was on it,” Dimarly said.
Helping other gardeners is just second nature to Kathi. “It’s what I do!” she said. She explains that she spends as much or more time offering tips, answering questions, and helping new gardeners feel welcome, as she does tending to her own garden.
“I want to make sure everybody is successful, whatever that means to them,” said Kathi. “Some want to grow vegetables. Some grow flowers. It doesn’t matter to me. I just want them to be successful.”
DUG’s Grow a Garden program aims to help new gardeners learn to grow healthy, organic food by while removing any potential financial barriers, but some past participants reported having difficulty getting their gardens to grow. Adding mentors like Kathi to the program has helped, and the abundance of eggplant and basil in Dimarly’s garden is evidence of that.
As a mom who worries how expensive fresh produce has become, Dimarly has enjoyed having more access to fresh, healthy veggies to prepare for her family. She’s grateful for an activity she can do with her son, who is in the sixth grade and often joins her in the garden. She’s also appreciated the relationships she’s formed through gardening.
In her garden, she found an entire community of folks who–like Kathi– are willing to answer questions and offer a bit of advice. And her new community connections didn’t stop at the garden gate.
“Because I had all of this food to give away, I’ve been able to connect with my townhome neighbors, too,” Dimarly said.
Learning to love eggplant (and figuring out creative ways to prepare it!) is one of the benefits Dimarly has received from this garden, but she appreciates those community connections the most. “It’s been great feeling like you’re a part of something,” said Dimarly.
