On Tuesday, June 16, laughter, learning and a little bit of dirt filled the air as Healthy Archuleta’s CLAC en Español gathered for an unforgettable evening of container gardening with our amazing garden educator, Deborah.
Designed especially for this community, the class focused on one delicious idea: growing the ingredients we love right at home.
For many Hispanic families, gardening is much more than planting vegetables; it’s a tradition passed from one generation to the next. It’s the scent of fresh cilantro picked just before dinner; the chile plants growing beside the porch; colorful flowers welcoming hummingbirds, butterflies and bees; and grandparents and parents teaching children how to care for the earth.
Gardens have long been places where culture, family, food and love come together, and this evening celebrated those traditions while creating new memories for the next generation. More than 37 community members, families and staff came together to enjoy a delicious dinner before rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty.
Deborah, our wonderful garden expert, shared inspirational ideas for the container gardens, such as a salsa garden, a pizza garden, an herb garden, a barbecue or carne asada seasoning/rub garden, and more.
She showed everyone how to put them together by choosing the right pot sizes, pairing companion plants, building healthy soil and caring for plants throughout the season. Participants planted patio tomatoes, chile peppers, habaneros, bell peppers, cilantro, oregano, parsley, sage, basil, kale, eggplant and colorful flowers to attract our very important pollinators. Every garden was unique, reflecting each family’s favorite flavors, recipes and traditions.
While the adults planted, our children’s educator, Samantha, kept the young gardeners busy with a fun pot-painting activity. Every child planted a strawberry to take home, along with new gardening skills and the excitement of growing something of their own. Who knows, we may have inspired a few future gardeners.
One of the biggest takeaways from the evening was how easy and affordable container gardening can be. Whether you have a small patio, balcony, porch or even a sunny window, you can grow fresh herbs, vegetables, flowers and salsa ingredients right at home.
By the end of the evening, adults and children alike left with smiling faces, dirt-covered hands, beautiful container gardens and the confidence to continue growing healthy food at home.
More importantly, they left carrying forward a tradition that has nourished Hispanic families for generations, sharing food grown with love, caring for the earth, and gathering around the table with family and friends.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, organized and helped make this event such a success. Together, we’re cultivating healthier families, celebrating our rich cultural traditions and growing a stronger community, one small garden at a time.
To learn more about Healthy Archuleta and upcoming community events, visit www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org or email fsfearchuleta@gmail.com.
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