Toddlers run in circles, stirring up dirt under their little feet until they tire, munching on apples or pears from the fruit trees. Ladies of the neighborhood stop by to chitchat, sitting on plastic lawn chairs, fanning themselves on any one of summer's humid afternoons. Community gardeners mosey in to check on their plots, waiting patiently for the tomatoes to ripen or the collards to turn into big, leafy greens. And someone is always looking for Talib.

The growing season at Taqwa Community Farm is coming to a close, but there is still time to enjoy the bounty of harvest time. Squash, apples, potatoes and other seasonal produce is available at the garden's Saturday Farmers' Market, until Nov. 12. This year, despite a dry summer and a hungry squirrel who's not the least bit timid, gardeners and market shoppers alike reflected happily on their experiences at Taqwa.

Master gardener and garden director, Abu Talib helped break ground at the garden 13 years ago when it was still an abandoned lot at 164th Street and Ogden Avenue, and served primarily as a dumping ground. He and other Highbridge residents cleared away rocks and debris, one wheelbarrow at a time, slowly transforming the space into an active community garden.

Over the years, the farm has been host to various projects, from a solar-powered hydroponics system for growing greens, to a summer youth program where interns assisted in running the weekly farmers' market. A mural painted by children still provides color. The grape vine, a cool refuge from the beating summer sun, snaked its way into the garden from a neighboring property. The former Highbridge resident used to make wine from the juicy, purple fruits.

"It's relaxing for me, my daily exercise," says Mary Kyzer, a 46-year Highbridge resident and community gardener.

Mary grew collard greens, peppers, and zucchini this year. The market, in its second official year, continues to provide the freshest, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs to the community. Managed by Bobby "Sonny" Watson, he and his father Talib pick up the produce each week just down the hill at Bronx Terminal Market. Rural New York farmers provide additional produce.

Francisca Ambrosio and her children Wendy, age 8, and Jordan, age 4, are regulars at the market. "We come for all the fruits and for fresher food than we find at most stores," she said. They often purchase herbs like sage, basil and rosemary, cut fresh from the garden while they browse the market.

New this year, the market put on two Healthy Cooking Demonstrations, where trainers from the NYC non-profit Just Food cooked yummy seasonal dishes using produce from the market. Encouraging healthy eating and shopping at the market at once, the demos offer free recipes and samples. Featured this year were a cole slaw made with candied walnuts and apples, and a tomato corn salad with jalepeno peppers.

If you are interested in growing food in Highbridge next year, inquire at Taqwa Community Farm, 164th St. and Ogden Avenue, or call Just Food at 212.645.9880. Just Food's City Farms Program works to increase food production and marketing via community gardens.