Susanville Community Garden wraps up bountiful 2025 season

The Susanville Community Garden is closing out its 2025 season, and by all accounts, it was one for the record books. Every single plot was claimed by the end of spring and the garden flourished with hundreds of pounds of fresh produce — squash, tomatoes and bell peppers spilling from raised beds and rows alike.

The season kicked off with a heartfelt contribution from retiring Public Works Director Rob Godman, who rolled up his sleeves and poured his energy into prepping the garden for planting. “Rob’s dedication set the tone,” said Mark, a member of the Community Garden Advisory Committee. “It has given me and my wife a place to control our food supply and work on a healing diet”

But the real heartbeat of the garden came from the community itself. Local organizations like Susanville Sunrise Rotary and Lassen County Probation pitched in alongside individual gardeners, creating a vibrant, cooperative space that brought together people from all walks of life.

“We have doctors and unhoused folks, a wide and diverse subsection of Susanville,” Mark added.

A splash of color now greets visitors to the Susanville Community Garden, thanks to a vibrant vegetable mural painted by local artist Alison Templeton. Commissioned by art supporter Mimi Rena, the mural features bold tomatoes, peppers, and squash winding across the garden house, turning it into a cheerful symbol of growth and community.

The garden’s bounty didn’t just stay within the fences. “We took six boxes of pears up to the Salvation Army,” Mark shared, highlighting the garden’s role in supporting food security across the city.

Mary Piowaty, a longtime gardener and advocate, echoed the sentiment: “It is a great place to garden and to get to know our community.”

The garden’s success has sparked dreams of expansion. Former Board of Supervisors member David Teeter voiced what many are thinking: “Next we need one at Roop and Nevada. Everybody should be able to grow their own food if they want.”

As the final harvest is gathered and the seasons change, the Susanville Community Garden stands as a testament to what can grow when a city plants seeds of collaboration, care, and community.

For more information email communitygarden@cityofsusanville.gov