“The first year, we had aphids. It’s one thing to have aphids on your tomato plant, but it’s another thing to have a 30-foot row of aphids,” Riding says. He was able to get rid of the tiny insects known as “plant lice” by painstakingly spraying the underside of all the leaves with soapy water. Riding also had an issue with a plant fungus that looks like dust. He researched the issue and found that diluted hydrogen peroxide would kill the fungus, and fortunately, it did. The searing Arizona sun also poses a chal- lenge; however, Riding says that the plants suffer the most damage from birds. He has tried numerous methods to deter them, including buying a sound box and getting a fake cat to guard the vegetation. Fortunately, water consumption for the plants is relatively conservative. “I spend as much at my home as I do on this huge lot,” Riding explains. Because of the sawdust in the soil mixture, water retention is fairly high. So, the water needed for the plants is relatively minimal. “The biggest challenge is finding another Jed,” Riding says with a laugh. “I enjoy it, but summers are tough. By noon, it’s 100 degrees out here.” Despite the dangers of working in the heat, Riding doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. Working the garden has provided him with not only a hobby but a purposeful way of spending his retirement. The garden includes 24 fruit trees, including peaches, pears and figs, 24 grape vines and a multitude of melons, squash, berries, root vege- tables, greens, peppers, herbs and other produce. Toward the back of the garden, Riding built a greenhouse. The tidy structure offers a sheltered space for young seedlings. Walking over to another raised bed, he gently wraps new tendrils from viny melons and squash around vertical growing lines. BUILDING COMMUNITY For Riding, the garden is a passion project that fosters connections with its neighbors. Nearby residents, some of whom live only a few doors down, often meet for the first time at the farm. “They’ll come and help, and I’ll give them food. We’ve got a great relationship; they’re just good people,” Riding says. Riding hosts open house events at the farm. Recently, a nearby mosque held a meeting there. After the event, he gave the attendees buckets of produce. “It brings the people together,” Riding says. Due to the volume of work required to maintain the farm, Riding enlists volunteers through JustServe.org. Some have special needs, others have court-mandated community service. Riding loves teaching them all about gardening. A couple of regular volunteers with special needs are some of Riding’s favorite people to work with. >> p 14 (Linh La) (Linh La) Jed Riding transformed a vacant lot into a thriving urban farm. Restaurant owner Linh La volunteers to help spread the garden’s reach. (Linh La) (Geena Matsumoto)
