BARAGA, The garden of Eden

BARAGA- The Garden wisdom

Why do we do gardening? Some says it gives them peace of mind, reduce stress, make them healthy. To some it gives pesticide-free organic and nutritious food for them as well as for the community. It gives tasty, delicious, diversified, healthy food.To others it connects them to nature, universe , and the creator. If you are looking for a combination of all these benefits of gardening  and enjoy your life,  BARAGA ranks number one choice.

The Burnaby and Region Allotment gardens Association- BARAGA- is a community garden located in the Big bend region of the city of Burnaby. The land is about 5.9 hectare (15 acres)  gardens which is a part of BC Agricultural Land Reserve. It is one of the largest of its kind in North America.

There are 372 garden plots   of 1000 sq ft each ( 93 sq m) which is 50 ft by 20 ft.There are more than 400 gardeners. We are blessed to have a plot after a long waiting.

Allotment gardens are basically collective gardening. Each member is allotted one plot. He / She has to adhere the bylaws set by the Board of members. Members are allowed to make a green house, tool shed with in the byelaws. Each member has to do minimum 6 hours voluntary work for the community each year.  They cannot leave the plot empty or use any pesticide or weedicide

The most important thing in this community is that they are down to earth farmers, simple and humble;  ready to help each other, by sharing the knowledge, sharing their produce, and sharing their experience. Instead of competition you can find co-operation, instead holding back, you can see sharing to others, instead of patent protection, you can see sharing the knowledge. All farmers are happy, healthy and contented. Here love flows. We produce vegetables and fruits and contribute  thousands of Kilos every year to the soup kitchens to feed the people in need. Every year government saves approximately 870,000 pounds of perishable food to feed the people in need through this Food Bank Program. 
 Moreover now this garden is going to be study center for students to know where the food comes from.  It is self-sustained with its own honey bee farm to pollinate  this 15 acre garden. This is the place where multi-millioners, CEOs, scientists,  chefs, retirees, teachers, students  from  5 to 95 years old  are passionate of their favorite hobby in gardening.

There are members who are more than 80 years old doing gardening. They find it their health spot or find gardening as secret of their health.

 It is a cosmopolitan community with people from all parts of the world. Every garden has got something from the gardener's homeland. You can find different vegetables from all over the world. When you see one plot with the European radicchios,  and endive, the next plot will be with bok choy , and bitter gourd, snake gourd,  the other one will be with  beans , lettuce, butter squash etc.  It is a unity in diversity.

Visitors are not allowed. Only members and their guests are allowed. Picking others produce is strictly forbidden. Every produce is earned. It is somebody's labor and sweat. You can see and enjoy. Respect others hard-work.

Pleasure of gardening keeps the wheel of BARAGA moving  year after year faster and faster.  Fascinating color of vegetables, flowers and fruits  makes this place one of the most exotic garden . 

 You can see the real presence of God here. The creations of God: man, sunlight, air, water, plants, honeybees, go hand in hand to produce pesticide-free organic food for the mankind. Isn't it a magic you plant a small seed you get a giant pumpkin. It is the Garden of Eden.

The Garden of Eden was created for mankind. "God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food" Genesis 2.9 Bible. Yes, God made BARAGA like the Garden of Eden for the mankind.

This is  a project that every community, school, church, and temple  throughout the world can copy. Let us do some thing for others rather than preaching. Together we can change this world to a better place to live.

Look at the pictures that tell the story of it. Enjoy......... the presence of God........ here.

Honey bee farm

Brussels sprout

Kale

Three different Kale

Lettuce  different colors

Blackberry

Kale

Kiwi- Japanese

A gourd grown by my friend

Not veg alone, birds too




My sister Evan  harvesting Zucchini

Garlic

Apple

Asian pears

Kale- ornamental too

Swiss chard

Pole beans

Beat root

Radicco

Green  car  in the Garden



Broccoli



Our son Subin- in gardening

Blueberry



A friends Green house. Tomatoes.Very few leaves on tops, all pruned