Otis Community Garden: September Update

By Margie Klein

September 2025

Every Wednesday at 7:30 am when I unlatch the garden gate the dew is glistening in the sunlight on the vegetables. The vegetables are just waiting to be picked and with mixed emotion I know we are at the peak of abundance. I am a hardy New Englander and also I try to live in the moment so I won't let my thoughts go to winter. Stay in the moment. Thank you for the miracle of the seasons, the plants and vegetables. 

Squash, cucumbers, beans, potatoes, greens, and more — Fresh from the garden!. Photo: Margie Klein

And, yes, finally the tomatoes are ripening and now I can devour my caprese salad. Last year I learned about burrata and not only do I purchase fresh mozzarella, I enjoy these balls of pure joy with fresh basil on top of my tomatoes. Soon I’ll be whipping up a blender full of gazpacho. We dead head the marigolds to keep the plant healthy and to keep the mosquitos away. The garlic has been pulled, hung, and dated. 

The potatoes are ready, so start digging! We are amazed at how well the green peppers have grown on the left side of the garden. The sunflowers are high in the sky and the birds are rejoicing. There is a large pumpkin growing. 

Both food banks, Lee and Otis, are so appreciative when we bring this weekly produce to them. On any given week we harvest whatever is ripe enough to pick. There is usually a plethora of vegetables to donate. 

Change is on the way for the garden. Eve has decided to explore other pursuits and is handing over her management responsibilities to the group. She will still remain an active member. The responsibilities are numerous and planning for the garden is a year round job. A lot of us are ready to pitch in and make this garden grow and be sustainable. We have a great bunch of people working to make all this happen. 

Enjoy the fruits of the earth and give thanks.