Cultivating Connections: Interview with Nancy Young, SCCG Gardener and Volunteer
At the San Carlos Community Garden, connections bloom as naturally as the flowers. This month, we’re delighted to spotlight Nancy (Nan) Young, a dedicated volunteer, gardener, and joyful presence in our community.
Whether she’s helping children craft hummingbird swings, tending to her ever-changing plot, or swapping greens with her neighbors, Nan brings a genuine warmth and curiosity that remind us what community gardening is all about—learning, laughter, and shared growth.
SCCG: Hi Nan! What first brought you to the San Carlos Community Garden?
Nan: I lived near the Ocean Beach Community Garden and was a member there for a while. And then when I moved to East County, I thought, hmm, I’m going to check out something closer. You know, rather than driving all the way in. I looked at a few gardens, and this one was so involved. I mean, you know how it is, it’s great!
I love that the school can come over and visit. That’s one of my favorite things about this garden.
Playtime in the Garden is a 7-week summer time program held at SCCG designed to creativity & engage senses in our youngest gardeners. Nan has been instrumental in the program’s success!
SCCG: How long have you been volunteering and gardening here?
Nan: Just a few years. I became a member and jumped right in. Signed up for an individual plot and started volunteering right away.
SCCG: What programs have you been involved with?
Nan: I work part-time, so I’m lucky to have part of the week available. The first thing I helped with was Playtime in the Garden.
It’s a children’s program where small groups come in and do a craft related to the garden. That was so fun. I guess I just like being around kids. I have grandkids, too, and they’ve been here a few times.
SCCG: Have you helped with any special events?
Nan: Yes! We had a booth last fall at the Rec Center. They invited San Carlos to come and have our own little space. I think we made about 100 hummingbird swings. Oh my goodness, that was a lot!
Nan also led a highly popular booth at our 2025 Spring Festival where attendees made Hummingbird Swings.
Above is an example of one of the swings.
SCCG: What does being part of this community mean to you?
Nan: Hmm… I guess just new friendships, you know? That’s what it’s about. And with kids or adults, it’s about giving them some extra knowledge or attention or appreciation. It’s really simple.
SCCG: What do you enjoy growing in your plot?
Nan: Well, when I first came, I didn’t know that much about gardening. But that’s part of the fun, learning and going to the workshops.
My first year, I thought, I’m going to do pollinators—things that attract butterflies and bees. And then herbs. That worked out well, except some of the herbs were so aggressive they kind of took over. The salvia, especially, got all woody and wild.
Now I’m gradually switching to greens that I like to eat. But I still plant flowers too. They make me happy.
SCCG: Do you have any memorable “firsts” in the garden?
Nan: Oh, yes! I was surprised at the volunteers that came to my plot—meaning plants, not people!
Fennel is super aggressive. It’ll grow in a sidewalk crack in OB, seriously. And I’ve had two tomato plants appear that I never planted. The seeds must have floated over from another plot. It’s fun to see what surprises show up.
SCCG: Do you share produce with other gardeners?
Nan: Oh, absolutely. When I went to visit family in Oklahoma, another gardener watered my plot, and she was welcome to pick some of my arugula—it was this tall!
We swap informally all the time.
SCCG: How has being involved here connected you with others in the neighborhood?
“My plot neighbors are my friends now.”
Nan with fellow SCCG gardeners, Pam and Luciano.
Nan: Well, for one, my plot neighbors are my friends now.
And my plot neighbor started talking to me about the school garden where her grandkids go. She actually started that garden from the ground up. That inspired me, and now I volunteer there too.
Gardening really does expand your world.
SCCG: What originally drew you to community gardening?
Nan: Gardens and nature in general—I just like the natural world. I like bugs! When we were kids, we’d pick up anything that crawled.
I’m not a big gardener, but I love learning about how it all works. There’s so much science behind it—the math of seeds, the way everything connects. You can get deep into it if you want to or you can just dig a hole, put a plant in, and see what grows.
SCCG: What advice would you give to someone just joining the garden?
Nan: Hmm… I guess if it’s plot advice, it would be listen to the soil people.
They’ve mentioned things I never would have thought to research myself. And don’t be afraid to reach out. If you’re going to be gone, ask someone to water or check your plot. People love to help. That’s how community works.
SCCG Note: Cover crops are part of Nan’s winter plan! In the next 60 days, she will harvest her sweet peas, snap peas, and carrots, and then plant Red Crimson Clover to keep the soil hardy throughout the winter months.
SCCG: And finally, how would you describe the garden in three words?
Nan: Oh, gee… Let’s see. Friendly. Educational. And… Therapeutic.
It’s a great getaway, especially depending on what you do outside the garden. It’s just a peaceful place to be.
Nan’s story captures the heart of the San Carlos Community Garden: friendship, discovery, and the simple joy of giving a little extra care to the earth and to one another. As she says, “It’s really simple.” We couldn’t agree more. Here’s to cultivating connections, one garden bed (and one smile) at a time.
