Japan: US Army Garrison Japan community garden still growing strong
When the Camp Zama and Sagamihara Family Housing Area Community Garden opened in the summer of 2015, community members were enthusiastic about having a place to grow produce.
By Winifred Brown
US Army
March 18, 2021
Excerpt:
Leatherbee, a sergeant first class assigned to the U.S. Army Japan Band, said he has lived at other installations with gardens, but this was the first time he decided to ask for a plot.
“The garden here appealed to me because it is conveniently located at the end of the trail on [SFHA],” Leatherbee said. “It is a way to get outside with my family on a daily basis to weed, plant, water and harvest fruit and vegetables from the garden.”
Last year Leatherbee and his family grew tomatoes, various colors of bell peppers, eggplants, peas, cucumbers, strawberries, cantaloupes, corn and sunflowers.
Others have enjoyed their time at the garden as well.
Annie Edwards, a newcomer, said she is an experienced gardener, but has never had a plot in Asia before, so she looks forward to learning from others.
So far Edwards has planted winter vegetables that include radishes, broccoli, spinach and potatoes, but she also has plans to grow other vegetables this summer, such as zucchini. Then in the fall she plans to plant vegetables such as pumpkins, more potatoes and squash.
