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.
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 . Look at the pictures that tell the story of it. Enjoy......... the presence of God........ here.
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| Honey bee farm |
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| Brussels sprout |
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| Kale |
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| Three different Kale |
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| Lettuce different colors |
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| Blackberry |
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| Kale |
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| Kiwi- Japanese |
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| A gourd grown by my friend |
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| Not veg alone, birds too |
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| My sister Evan harvesting Zucchini |
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| Garlic |
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| Apple |
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| Asian pears |
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| Kale- ornamental too |
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| Swiss chard |
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| Pole beans |
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| Beat root |
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| Radicco |
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| Green car in the Garden |
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| Broccoli |
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| Our son Subin- in gardening |
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| Blueberry |
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| A friends Green house. Tomatoes.Very few leaves on tops, all pruned |
