The Nightingale Gardens farmers combined efforts with the Trustees and Dorchester Food Co-Op to stage their annual harvest party last Sunday (Oct. 1) in the garden on Park Street near Codman Square.

The garden is decades old and boasts numerous plots for those looking to grow food or to just get their hands dirty. Elnora Thompson, who started gardening there in the 1980s, runs youth programs in the summer to teach young people about the food they eat, and what they can grow themselves.

Nightingale Garden is one of the largest community gardens in Dorchester, with 132 plots, hundreds of gardeners, and a history that stretches back to the 1970s when neighbors reclaimed the property following the demolition of the Nightingale School. The property had been home to gardens and greenhouses at the turn of the 20th century.

Now under the stewardship of the Trustees for more than a decade, the garden features improvements such as running water, a gazebo, a shed, concrete sidewalks, and granite plot dividers.

On Sunday, the sun was out, and a DJ played dance tunes for the ‘Green New Dance Party’ while Dorchester Food Co-Op brought in vendors and information tables.

Teens from Save the Harbor-Save the Bay visited the party, including, from left, Seoule Simmons, Arianny Cabral, Chrisnel Peña, and Liany Cruz.

Miguel Pacheco, left, and Apolo Catala show off some of the interesting crops grown at Nightingale Community Garden. They identified this gem as ‘bitter melon,’ a relative of the cucumber. They said it was a great medicinal crop, helping those with diabetes and hypertension.

Elionora Melo-Keefe and Tristram Keefe under the gazebo drinking apple cider during the harvest party.

Alyssa Melendez, right, a board member at Dorchester Food Co-Op, helps color with her niece and nephew, Lena and Julian.

DJ Renell Jean and Irene Nakabonge-Lugude enjoyed the upbeat music and the warm sun on Sunday.

A sure sign of fall, the sweet corn in the garden had tasseled and was about ready to be picked.

Caroline Bowes, of the Trustees, welcomed everyone to the party.

Gardeners and Dorchester Food Co-Op members Mike Prokosch and Robin Saunders paused for a photo. Seth Daniel photos