Vegetable Garden
Each September Pinellas County youth are invited to join 4-H and participate in the Ochs Vegetable Garden.
Each child, ages 5 – 18, receives a 10 X 10 foot plot, seeds, starter plants, instruction from Master Gardeners and horticulturists, a 4-H project book, and endless growth opportunities. Among the lessons learned are how to plant seeds and transplants, the importance of irrigation and water conservation, thinning, weeding, good bugs and bad bugs, harvesting, and how good fresh vegetables taste. Master Gardeners have developed and maintain a composting corral, teaching youth (and parents) how to reduce the amount of waste leaving the garden and increase resources for the garden. There are 80 plots ready for planting, with 20 more in the community area. In February, the spring gardens begin and the fall gardens is recharged.
Restoration
Before the Ochs contained a citrus grove, the land was a low sandhill ecosystem covered with 
longleaf pines, sabal palms, wiregrass, and pignut hickory. Over one hundred trees and shrubs have been planted in the past two years. Gopher tortoises inhabit the area and feed on prickly pear. Cottontail rabbits attract red shouldered hawks. The restoration project provides service learning opportunities for 4-H members, scouts, and adult volunteers. Bees hives are maintained by a local beekeeper who is a registered volunteer. The bees pollinate the native plants and the citrus trees. The beekeeper offers educational programs for Ochs participants, 4-H clubs, and school children.
Citrus Grove
The citrus grove represents the grove that once covered the property. New tree specimens replace the old, dying trees. The old trees remain for cavity nesters. During the months the citrus fruit is ripe, neighbors are welcome to harvest the fruit for their enjoyment, per Chester Ochs’ wishes. Master Gardeners maintain the grove by mowing, fertilizing, and pruning.
