Ted Miyashiro, president of the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden, didn’t mind taking a brief break to talk about the genuine camaraderie and friendship he enjoys with his fellow members and the common passion which they share

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - The sense of satisfaction in cultivating the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden’s rich soil in Citrus Heights to grow fruits and vegetables is something its members know especially well.

What was once a plot of land used as a construction site dump area at the corner of Sylvan Road and Stock Ranch Road, not far from Citrus Heights City Hall, is celebrating its 25th year as a community-operated garden and education center.

At almost every turn during a busy monthly workday May 17, members were busily spreading bark, watering and cultivating some 72 individual raised-wood planting beds which needed their full attention. Some looked to see how the early ripening crop of strawberries, blueberries and raspberries were faring.

Ted Miyashiro, president of the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden, didn’t mind taking a brief break to talk about the genuine camaraderie and friendship he enjoys with his fellow members and the common passion they share.

At almost every turn during a busy monthly workday May 17, members were busily spreading bark, watering and cultivating more than 72 individual raised-wood planting beds which needed their full attention.

First-time visitors who want to learn about the garden are always welcome to drop by, he said. The general atmosphere is decidedly relaxed.

“We’re looking to both increase our membership and also educate the community about what the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden is really all about,” said Miyashiro.

Now retired, Miyashiro, born in Hawaii, and a University of Arkansas graduate, is retired from Caltrans where he enjoyed a career as a professional landscape architect.

Miyashiro takes a relaxed view of leadership, enjoying the friendships he has made with his fellow gardeners.

“We’re also working to create more opportunities just to get together socially this year apart from our monthly workdays,” Miyashiro said. “We’re proud to help and give back to the local community in that way.”

The Sylvan Ranch Community Garden began with a vision by former Citrus Heights Mayor Jeannie Bruins in 2004 to create a sustainable local organic garden for use by city residents.

An initial group of members then met to plan the garden layout, how it would operate and how it would be funded. The City of Citrus Heights then leveled the ground and the project was started.

Today, the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden at the corner of Sylvan Road and Stock Ranch Road is open from dawn to dusk for its about 50 regular members.

The growing season at the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden starts in early April with the process of cleaning up plots and planting. Ongoing maintenance is required to replace rotted wood in many of the wood beds that see full use each growing season.

While fruits and vegetables grown organically at the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden are mostly for personal use, a substantial portion is donated to local food closets, including the Sunrise Food Bank, Miyashiro said.

Two areas of the community garden are set aside for that purpose, and on average, some 1,000 pounds or more of fresh produce are donated to food closets each year, according to Miyashiro.

Free compost, provided by Republic Services, is also available to the public at the garden. Bring your own container and a shovel and take what you need, Miyashiro said. Composting workshops are often held at the garden.

The Sylvan Ranch Community Garden continues to be dedicated to sustainable organic growing methods, garden learning opportunities and fostering community spirit for all individuals, including those with physical limitations.

While a high percentage of current members are retired, many are decidedly younger, in their 30s and 40s, who arrange their professional schedules to tend to their personal plots in the garden, according to Miyashiro.

“We’re always continuing to build on what others have done before us,” Miyashiro said.

Personal garden plots are leased annually on a “first-come, first serve” basis and assigned by the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden board of directors. While there’s currently a wait list for available openings, interested gardeners should check frequently for availability.

Sylvan Ranch Community Garden offers three individual classes of membership: sunflower, tomato and basil.

Priority is given to Citrus Heights residents and Citrus Heights community groups. Garden plots are only available for personal use and can not be used to grow crops for sale.

Sylvan Ranch Community Garden offers three individual classes of membership: sunflower, tomato and basil.

A Sunflower (supporter, $20 per garden year) receives news and event announcements with eligibility to attend educational seminars.

A Tomato (member, $45 per garden year) has full access to the garden, is eligible to attend educational seminars and has the ability to participate in and harvest from all common areas.

Membership at the Basil (gardener level) is $65 per garden year with full access to the garden and assignment of a 4’ x 20’ plot for personal gardening in addition to the ability to attend all educational seminars and participate in and harvest from all common areas.

Over the years, several Boy Scout Eagle projects have been completed at the garden. A seating area for resting and visiting the garden was completed, a flagpole area added, new storage sheds for garden equipment and supplies built, and a spacious greenhouse opened for an annual fundraising plant sale.

Visit sylvanranchgarden.org to learn more about the Sylvan Ranch Community Garden or how to apply for membership. The public is also invited to follow the community-operated garden on social media at facebook.com/SylvanRanchCG.