Get to Know a Garden: South Pasadena
The South Pasadena Community Garden at 1028 Magnolia Street is an example of persistence, creativity, and volunteership. On May 14th, South Pasadena Community Garden participated in the Eclectic Music Festival featuring the bands Picture Show, Lagoonatix and a flatfoot dancer, Rebecca Stout. Folks of all ages enjoyed live music among the sunflowers, green onions, swiss chard, and strawberries. The land was formerly assigned as a staging lot for the 710 Freeway extension and now boasts 33 beds with 6 more in the works. What makes this garden unique is not only what they have physically built in a year but also how rapidly they have inspired their community.
The South Pasadena Community Garden has a momentum that is stoked by their dedicated founding members Marianne, Kathy, Michelle, Margie, Lorrie, Pat, and Janet. Outreach and community involvement are integral to the Garden’s development. On their first work day they were able to recruit about 80 volunteers. Currently a local Boy Scout, Owen Pratt, volunteered to fundraise and build a compost bin as his project to become an Eagle Scout. The garden’s potential is inspiring locals to tap into their innovation and creativity.
The next phases include: laying-down decomposed granite for wheelchair accessibility; a milkweed project to track butterfly migration by local Girl Scouts; workshops and plant sales; and a City funded project to include a bike rack, donated kinetic sculpture, water feature, and shade structure. Community gardeners are also participating in the South Pasadena 4th of July parade. Last year, they dressed up as vegetables and carried signs with puns like "Give Peas a Chance". It'll be great to see how they reflect the garden's strong presence in the city this year!
The South Pasadena Garden is an inspiration and we encourage you to see it for yourself at their next volunteer day, Saturday, July 9th!
By Cerrina Tayag-Rivera
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Spring Street Community Garden Opens!
 
On June 11th, Downtown LA residents, Councilmember Huizar, and LACGC proudly cheered as the Spring Street Community Garden opened its gates for the first time. Welcome to the club of community gardens, Spring Street. We can't wait to see what they produce! Thanks especially go to Kevin from Joe's Parking for leasing us this prime piece of real estate.
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Street Theater for Change
 Join Hunger Action LA tomorrow (June 17th) for a street theater event to bring attention to the 1.5 million residents in California that are living below the poverty line and lack access to healthy foods. All are invited to dress up and act out the classic Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. When: Friday, June 17th, 11am
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Irrigation Practices for Native Plant Gardens
The Theodore Payne Foundation is hosting a workshop on Saturday, June 18th, that'll guarantee you a native plant garden well-hydrated without wasting water. Kelley Hanna, co-founder of Water Wise Now, will discuss irrigation principles, techniques, and equipment best suited for native plant landscapes. Tickets are $30-$40 and can be purchased here.
When: Saturday, June 18th, 1pm-3:30pm
Where: Theodore Payne Foundation
10459 Tuxford St, Sun Valley, CA 91352
Details: Buy tickets and get more information here
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Altadena Community Garden Annual Picnic
It's picnic season and where better to ring in warm weather and sweet summer produce than the Altadena Community Garden. Bring your appetite and friends to the Loma Alta Park on Saturday, June 25th, from 12pm-4pm. Enjoy a festive meal of great BBQ, local fresh veggies, garden tours, a raffle and more for just $10.
When: June 25th, 12pm-4pm
Where: Altadena Community Garden, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave, Altadena CA 91001
For more information: Get more details here.
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LACGC Education Series Workshop:
Best Practices
Residents all over LA County are rejoicing as more and more urban farms pop up. This month, learn from our resident community garden expert, Al Renner, what the best daily practices are on an urban farm. From checking overnight damage to harvesting, cultivating, and tending to plants, you’ll learn the daily habits that help an urban farm run efficiently.
When: Saturday, June 18th, 10am-12pm
Where: Solano Canyon Community Garden, 545 Solano Avenue, LA CA 90012
Bring: Water and close-toed shoes
Contact: Visit our website or contact ngeller@lagardencouncil.org for more information.
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Compton Beautification Day
On July 16th, the Rainbow Child Development Center and Drew CDC will host a Beautification Day & Childcare Open Enrollment Fair. Come for the food, games, gardening, and music. It's free, festive, and fun!
When: July 16th, 10am- 3pm
Where: Rainbow Child Center
12611 S. Willowbrook, Compton CA
Details: Head to their site for more info!
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Ask Al
Dear Al,
How much should I be watering my plants during summer months? I don't want to drown them but I also want to make sure they don't get charred by the sun.
- Water Wondering
Hello Water Wondering,
The standard watering formula is 6 minutes for 100 square feet. That's for daily watering so you'll have to adjust if you water every other day. It can also be less or more depending on your soil condition. In terms of plants, most summer plants are water hogs, especially tomatoes, carrots, and corn so make sure you're keeping them hydrated. The best time to water is 2 hours before sunset or between 6 and 8am.
- Al
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"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle"
- Traditional Irish saying
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LACGC Education Program at the Solano Canyon Community Garden
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EXPO Mini Urban Farm
Work Day
Community Services Unlimited and Andover Alumni will spend the morning of June 18th getting sun, exercise, and learning the ropes around an urban farm through volunteering. Join in! Bring water, comfortable clothing and shoes, and be ready for laughs and sweat!
When: June 18th, 9:30am-12:30pm
Where: CSU/EXPO Mini Urban Farm
3990 Bill Robertson Lane, LA CA 90037
Contact: Visit their site for the scoop!
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Do you have a gardening question for Al? Need some advice about your plot? Send it this way and check next month's issue for an answer!
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Al's Tip of the Month
"Don't pick your beans while they're wet. They'll get rust on them!"
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Volunteer with us!
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