Photo courtesy Jason Weston/Joe’s Gardens. Joe Betero braiding garlic. Sold as braids and bulbs, this Joe’s Garden staple can be traced back to seeds that were brought back from Genoa, Italy.
If you have lived here for any length of time, you have most likely stopped by one of
Bellingham’s most beloved institutions, Joe’s Gardens. If you are new to Bellingham, let me
introduce you to one of our most cherished places.
Joe Bertero purchased the land that currently operates as Joe’s Gardens in 1933 from the
Robertson Family who had owned the 15-acre plot since the 1800s. The current owners,
brothers Nathan and Jason Weston’s father Carl worked with Bertero starting in 1958. In 1983,
Jason Weston, a former boat builder, purchased Joe’s gardens. In 2008, Nathan Weston left
behind the corporate life to join his family in the daily operations of this beloved organic farming institution.
The brothers are blessed to have their parents, Carl and Karol Weston still helping with the
management of the farm.
The loyalty of the community to Joe’s Gardens is something that the Weston family count on
every year. Starting now, the gardens intensively planted five acres are bursting to life. Spring is a time for all of us to turn to the sun, and the plants are all part of this annual ritual of rebirth. The management of Joe’s gardens is a blend of old and new traditions that ironically include utilizing old style walk behind cultivators. The reason for this return to the past ways is due to a lack of equipment available for small gardens that grow on a commercial level. Jason Weston found that rebuilding old style equipment is often the best path forward.
There is a certain comfort in visiting places that have remained largely the same over the
generations. I remember riding my bicycle to Joe’s Gardens when I was in college and then
cycling back with my backpack stuffed with gorgeous salad makings. The smell of the small
barn enveloping me in the familiar comforts of my own rural upbringing was better than anything else to brighten my week.
I encourage you to join us this year and every year in celebrating one of Bellingham’s most
wonderful gifts, the gift of a little garden that grows not only gorgeous organic produce, but a
sense of community connection that I am sure we all need a large dose of.
Here is to living a beautifully curated life. See you there!
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