An Update on RIPE Altadena, Our Local, Backyard Produce Exchange

The idea behind RIPE Altadena, a grassroots organization of local organic produce gardeners, is simple: Grow a successful backyard crop, and sometimes the fruits of your labor will exceed your wildest expectations.

So let's swap.

For example, some of us are up to our neck in citrus this season (can anyone say Meyer lemon?),  others are drowning in lettuce. So let’s trade – my lemons for your lettuce -- at a monthly get-together in Farnsworth Park. And let’s have some fun at the same time.  

The brainchild of Altadena resident Gail Murphy, RIPE Altadena continues to grow --  in membership and concept.

In addition to the monthly produce swaps, RIPE Altadena offers some homespun classes – canning, fruit tree grafting, herbal remedies, just to name a few. Murphy is also helping kick start RIPE "communities" in adjacent towns and cities.

Check out the RIPE Altadena website for membership information. If you have homegrown organic produce you’d like to swap this Sunday, stop by Farnsworth Park on February 26th, at 4 p.m., and meet some neighbors. It's likely you'll find assorted greens, chard, herbs, kale, lettuce, grapefruit, sprouts, granola.

And if you need lemons, I’ve got lemons.