If you’re looking for some gardening inspiration for your spring planting, head over to Lake Oswego’s Luscher Farm at 125 Rosemont Road.

Once a dairy operation, the City of Lake Oswego purchased the property in 1990 and provides programming, gardening opportunities and seeds of inspiration for visitors interested in local food and organic plant production.

YOUTH PROGRAMS. CAMPS and CLASSES run the gamut from learning about insects to preparing a meal using produce from the Children’s Garden. BARNYARD TALES feature story time and fun farm-themed activities. FARM FIELD TRIPS teach students about raising livestock, organic gardening, composting, pollination and more. The CHILDREN’S GARDEN is an incredible outdoor classroom that makes the connection for children between the food they eat and where it comes from.

COMMUNITY GARDENS. There are 180 organic garden plots on the farm and community garden participants tend to their assigned beds to grow fresh organic produce and flowers while also volunteering for four hours at the farm. Plots measure 10’x20’ ($87/residents/$109/non-residents) and 20’x20’ ($110/residents/$125 non-residents) and are awarded January-March each year based on the retention of returning gardeners. Due to the popularity of the program, there is usually a waitlist to participate; however, you can gather seeds of inspiration by touring the gardens yourself and striking up a conversation with some of the dedicated gardeners as they work their sites. Priority is given to Lake Oswego residents and you can sign up on the waitlist free of charge by completing the registration form online.

ADOPT-A-PLOT. Another way to garden and give is to enroll in the Adopt-a-Plot program in which participants are assigned a 4’x20’ plot and offered lessons in how to grow produce organically for camps, cooking classes and to donate to community members in need (including Meals on Wheels and our local Hunger Fighters). Gardeners can also reap some of their efforts by taking home samples. Fees are $35/residents/$53 non-residents. This year’s program is full but you can join a waitlist and mark your calendars to sign up next year.

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE. If you’re worried you don’t have a green thumb but still want to enjoy organic produce, then the CSA program might be just what you need! Basically, you’re leaving the “growing” to someone else, in this case Laura Masterson and her farm crew. By signing up, you become a shareholder in their farming efforts and can choose from a whole share or half share for winter and/or summer weekly pickups depending on the size of your household or a “Try it Out” option that allows for a single pickup of the half share size basket. To sign up, call 503.675.2549 or sign up online.

ROGERSON CLEMATIS GARDEN. Covering one acre around the Luscher farmhouse, this garden is filled with inspiration and ideas for your own yard. And if one of the many clematis varieties speaks to you, check their clematis care information sheet online.  Plants also go on sale. Check what’s currently blooming online.  

And if those aren’t enough reasons to check out Luscher Farm, consider the 60+ acres of natural area—rolling meadows, wetlands, oak savannas, wildlife—to explore. Or the Little Free Seed Library I discovered on a recent visit. Or come back at Halloween and check out the scarecrows.

Luscher Farm is just one of many reasons to love Lake Oswego. We can fill you in on lots more by either subscribing to our blog and/or reaching out to us to explore how you could move to Lake Oswego and start enjoying all these amenities. Click the “Sign me up” button in the top right-hand column and/or give us a call. As Lake Oswego Realtors who live and work here, we’d love to help you out.

Kevin Costello 503.939.9801 kevin.costello@cascadehassonsir.com

Riley Costelleo 971.322.6205 riley.costello@cascadehassonsir.com