Health & Fitness
Buena Loma Gardens: A Hidden Treasure in Temecula
Charlie and Elvie, owners of Buena Loma Gardens, grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and have a special interest in sharing their knowledge on healthy eating, organic farming and composting.
About two weeks ago I packed up the kids for a hike to the Santa Margarita Trail in Fallbrook, Calif. I had a general idea of where I was going but was relying on my cellphone for directions. As luck would have it, I missed a turn and found myself in a rural part of town with no cell reception. I was getting ready to turn back when I spotted a sign for Buena Loma Farms. I was intrigued by what I might find so I followed the signs to a small stand on the side of the road. Actually, it was the home of Charlie and Elvie Colabella.
Immediately, Charlie came out to greet us and had us sampling fruit. We had the sweetest oranges and the most delicious grapefruit, apples and blood oranges. We also tried Gloria Gold sweet limes which Elvie called magic lemons. I think she called them “magic” because they looked like lemons but actually had a mild taste without the tartness of a regular lemon.
Charlie and his wife, Elvie eagerly gave us a tour of the gardens. We saw the many varieties of fruits and vegetables that were growing on the farm. The kids were excited to follow Charlie around the garden and helped him pick blackberries, while I hand selected kale straight from the ground.
Charlie and Elvie developed the land more than 16 years ago and just one month ago started selling to the public. All their fruits and vegetables are organically grown, using a homemade fertilizer, and are hand cultivated. Charlie has a special interest in sharing his knowledge of healthy eating as well as educating the public on home gardening and composting.
We did eventually made it to the Santa Margarita Trail, but the best part of the day was discovering Buena Loma Gardens, meeting Charlie and Elvie and tasting some wonderful produce.
If you visit in the next few weeks you will be treated to eggplants, peppers, heirloom tomatoes, melons, Italian heirloom squash (known as Marianna Di Chioggia), kabocha squash, apples, persian mulberries, and figs. Personally, I’ll be back in about a week for the Persian mulberries.
Since my last visit, Elvie has created a picnic seating area for visitors to sit and enjoy the serenity of the gardens. Visitors are also welcomed to bring their own picnic lunches.
Buena Loma Gardens is a 20-minute drive from from Rancho California and the 15 Freeway in Temecula. They are located at: 45485 Buena Loma Road, Temecula, Calif., 92590. If you have any questions, you can email Elvie at egcolabella@verizon.net or call 951-694-5328. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week or by special arrangement.
