Nature’s Tales: Discover Enchanting Forest Garden Days & Delightful Hotnu Pizza Nights

This July, my son Ekko invited some friends for a different kind of fun: a workday at our forest garden. Instead of a party, they spent their time removing invasive plants and clearing the area around our hotnu, our outdoor oven, which got overrun after Typhoon Mawar.

The storm left a mess of fallen trees and branches. We struggled to manage the weeds, especially the tångantångan, which grows back quickly if we don’t uproot it entirely.

Our hotnu is 13 years old, built by friends from Alaska using natural materials. The base is limestone, and the dome is made from a mix of sand and red earth, with only the fire bricks being manufactured. A few years later, we covered the dome with cement to protect it from chickens and mud wasps. I still remember my kids joyfully mixing clay and sand with their feet.

Pizza and Stories

We’ve had many pizza parties in the hotnu over the years. After the storm, our yard needed serious attention, but a few weekends ago, we finally got to it. Ekko and his brother Bas, along with their friends, cleared the space and even rebuilt the fire pit. They made s’mores late into the night, and later, parents joined in the fun.

After our hard work, we gathered under a canopy in the yard to share stories. My husband, Tom, and the kids kept the pizzas coming. We used tångantångan wood for the fire, which takes about two hours to get ready. Each pizza cooked in just two minutes. We made around 15 that night, and they were delicious!

Growing Together

Twenty years ago, when we moved from Belgium to Guåhan, I teamed up with my friend Penny to start a community garden. Every week for seven years, families came together to dig, plant, and share meals. We created puppet shows about Guåhan’s plants as we nurtured both the land and our friendships.

Over time, more neighbors joined in. Julienne, who loved storytelling, added a creative twist to our meetings. We shared meals in reusable containers, and composted food scraps so we left no trash behind.

My daughter Rhonda has been part of this garden journey from the start. Her four kids, alongside mine, have formed a special bond through years of gardening together. This little community remains strong today. My oldest son Bas and his friend Ska have been pals since infancy. Ekko has grown up alongside Luan and Liam, thanks to their moms, Suzanne and Roisin, who always lent a hand.

Even as my job at the university changed our routine, new families joined our group, including Jasiu and his mom Grazyna. Our friendships have grown as we worked together.

In our forest garden, we focus on growing native and fruit trees. However, the invading vines are more persistent than ever. I’ll share tips on managing them in future posts. For now, I hope you enjoy some photos from our recent work weekend, along with our hotnu pizzas.

In the grand scheme of things, these community efforts highlight the vital role of local connections in fostering resilience and sustainability. Studies show that community gardens can improve mental health and social cohesion, making them more significant than just a spot to plant vegetables. They foster friendships, create stronger neighborhoods, and even support environmental stewardship.

As we continue to nurture our garden and community, we remember the roots we’ve planted—both in the soil and in our hearts.

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