BLOG: Planning the Fall Crops at Greystone's Community Garden

A group of local volunteers including city staff, residents, businesses and faith-based groups have come together to build and maintain a .

provided both materials and man-power, Crown Disposal donated materials and several local Boy and Girl Scout Troops stepped up to build and maintain the three large raised beds. Soozie Eastman plotted the placement of the beds and continues as Chair of the Planning, Planting and Harvesting Committee.

A beautiful hand-tiled bench was designed and executed by artist Tanya Latta, and donated and installed by she and her husband, Beverly Hills Human Services Administrator Jim Latta.

, which also helped with the planting and maintenance, was the primary recipient of the crops, which were used in their Monday Lunch for the homeless. Summer crops were corn, beans, peppers, squash, tomatoes, eggplant and herbs. There is also an area planted specifically to attract bees and butterflies to help pollinate the plants.

Human Relations Commission Chair Barbara Linder spearheaded the idea for the garden and, with the help of park staff such as Stephen Hough, installed an efficient drip-irrigation system modeled after the one she uses in her own home garden.

At the meeting on Sept. 15, Garden Club members will discuss the next steps to take in order to ensure a good harvest of a fall crop, such as digging in the older plants, soil amendments and new plantings.

Parking for the meeting is available at the site: enter at the open gate on Doheny Road (west of the gatehouse) and make an immediate left into the lot. The main lot off of Loma Vista is also available; pass through the Mansion's grounds and walk down the front driveway to the greenhouse. The meeting will start at 10 a.m.

Anyone interested in attending can contact Barbara Linder directly: blinder01@roadrunner.com