Palisades Pumpkin Patch planted.
Palisades resident Bruce Schwartz, annually gave pumpkin plants to residents who were willing to grow them in their yard. Once they were grown, and some were enormous, they were taken to the YMCA Simon Meadow pumpkin patch and sold to support the Y’s program.
This year Farmer Schwartz had a problem. Many of those “former growers” had their homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire. He reached out to residents to see if anyone would be willing to turn their cleared lot into a pumpkin patch. Although several volunteered, while they decided what to do about selling/rebuilding, a resident in the Alphabet Streets gave permission.
Thirty mature seedlings were planted on May 28. Schwartz was asked if he thinks squirrels or rats will be a problem. “Could be,” he said. “I discovered a radio would discourage them.”
Schwartz will also water the seedlings.
Schwartz, who was Citizen of the Year in 2017 for his beautification efforts elsewhere in the Palisades (and also for the placement of high-fire-severity signs that prohibited camping in the brush), wanted to ensure that the tradition of giving pumpkins would continue despite the fire.
One year, he planted pumpkins on a median strip near the 76 Station at Sunset and PCH, securing water for the plants from owner Robert Munakash and manager Carlos Rodriguez. The harvested pumpkins (many them weighing more than 100 pounds) were donated to the YMCA.
Last year he took fallow ground by Theatre Palisades and grew a lovely crop.
Pacific Palisades Community Council President saw a photo and said, “So awesome Bruce! I want a pumpkin.”
Cindy Simon said, “Fantastic! Great work!
Maybe this will be the year to plant “Victory” gardens on empty lots, as people try to find money to rebuild.
I had wanted Bruce to plant the seeds on our property. I never heard back from him so he must have had a lot offers.
Where can we find Bruce’s pumpkin patch? I would love to check it out when we are in the Palisades.