March - December, 2005
Gardens-01
A sprawling garden is shared by multiple families who are clients of Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM). Crops seen in this image include lemongrass, mint, corn, tomatoes and pumpkin, June 28, 2005.
This gallery showcases Hmong community gardens from five different locations in Fresno and Clovis. It reveals the resourcefulness of Hmong refugees in planting gardens almost anywhere they possibly can. Gardens in this collection range from tiny apartment planters to a multi-acre City of Fresno property managed by Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM), a leading nonprofit serving Southeast Asian refugees.
Gardens-02
A Hmong girl harvests a Kabocha Squash from the FRIM community garden, June 28, 2005.
Gardens-03
Dragon’s Breath (Celosia argentea) is a vibrant ornamental crop that is popular in Asian-American communities, June 28, 2005.
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Purple amaranth is a highly versatile and nutritious gluten-free plant that can be used as a dried grain, sautéed or eaten fresh, June 28, 2005.
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The Glory flower is native to China and popular with southeast Asian-Americans, June 28, 2005.
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A flowering scallion at the FIRM community garden, June 28, 2005.
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A healthy-looking cornstalk at the FIRM community garden, June 28, 2005.
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A Hmong woman removes a dead cornstalk from the FIRM community garden, June 28, 2005.
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New construction looming in the background will ultimately displace the FIRM community garden, June 28, 2005.
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Young bean vines grow in the foreground as a food processing plant operates in the background, June 28, 2005.
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Freshly harvested Hmong heirloom cucumbers. Hmong people prefer to eat them when they are large and very soft inside, June 28, 2005.
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A Hmong girl gathers cucumbers in her basket, June 28, 2005.
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A Hmong girl prepares to leave the FIRM community garden with a bounty in her basket, June 28, 2005.
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A Hmong couple leaves with a small harvest that will help feed their family. In the background a multinational food processing giant turns crates of produce into packaged snacks to ship around the globe. This is agriculture practiced at micro vs. macro scale, June 28, 2005.
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Bananas, chilis and herbs grow in the central commons of a large Fresno apartment complex, December 9, 2005.
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Mustard greens, Thai shallots and other crops grow behind the parking lot of a southeast Fresno apartment complex, March 17, 2005.
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A closer view of the apartment garden with lettuce, mustard greens, Thai shallots and other crops, March 17, 2005.
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Mustard flowers and collards grow behind a large southeast Fresno apartment complex, March 17, 2005.
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A red maple tree, lemongrass, Thai shallots, cilantro, and other herbs grow from the 1950s-style planter of a south Clovis apartment complex, May 5, 2005.
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A large granite boulder ads a touch of modern landscaping, surrounded by Hmong crops at a south Clovis apartment complex, May 5, 2005
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A profusion of Hmong vegetables, herbs and medicinal plants grows in makeshift raised beds and pots, May 5, 2005
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A child’s bicycle near a small, narrow planter at a south Clovis apartment complex, May 5, 2005
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This garden thrives on a southeast Fresno cul-de-sac lined with refugee apartment complexes. Lemongrass, Thai shallots and a cilantro bush in full bloom share the tiny plot, May 16, 2005
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The neighboring garden includes, lettuce, spring onions, beans and Thai shallots, May 16, 2005