Get to Know a Garden: NorthWest Pasadena
The Urge to Community Garden by Mark Rice
Back in the late 20th century there was a liquor store at the corner of Howard and Navarro, considered the most dangerous place in Pasadena. Harambee, a religious group bought a house across the street from this liqueur store and brought Bob Burnett and his family out from an intentional agrarian community in Pennsylvania to try to transform this community. The liquor store burned to the ground and since I was the local garden activist - we were just starting what has turned into Muir Ranch at the High School around the corner - I got a call to discuss starting a community garden. The seed was planted but took longer than celery to germinate.
A few years later the land was still bare when Harambee, the Director of Public Health and the community again explored creating a community garden, leading to the replacement of the chain link fence, the installation of some raised beds and two years to find funding to purchase the land.
By the summer of 2013 the garden was experiencing more of an ebb than a flow when local activist Lydia Breen, joined the garden and helped program regular "art in the garden" events starting in September 2013. Forty events later I attended the most recent event just this last February.
Continue reading here
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Save the Date: May Day Celebration
 Please save the date for our upcoming fundraiser, a MayDay celebration. Mingle with other supporters of community gardens, taste extraordinary appetizers and desserts, listen to live jazz music, and visit the chicken coop! Sponsors confirmed by March 21st will be recognized in the invitation. Please contact Noelle Geller for more information about sponsoring.
When: May 1st, 2016, 3 - 5PMWhere: Weddington Farm in Sherman Oaks
Tickets go on sale on March 22nd.
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At LACGC, we look forward to our Friday chats with the members of partner community gardens during Office Hours. Please note (and share with other gardeners) that our Office Hours will be shifting over from Fridays at Al's office to Wednesdays at a new location. Starting Wednesday, March 23rd, visit Al, Julie, and Noelle at their new office space in Boyle Heights. We welcome all members of partner gardens and are excited to share our Wednesdays with you!
When: Wednesdays, 11AM - 4PM (Other days and times can be scheduled as well)
Where: 533 Euclid Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90063
Contact: Noelle at ngeller@lagardencouncil.org/ 323.989.3237 if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment on a different day.
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Willowbrook Children's Easter Festival
 Willowbrook Community Garden invites you to join in on some Easter fun on Saturday March 19th! There will be egg-dying, story-telling, and planting so it'll be EGGcellent for all ages.
When: March 19th, 10AM - 12PM |
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Spring Solstice Open House & Seed Workshop
 On Saturday, March 19th, the Solano Canyon Community Garden is opening its gates and welcoming visitors. Learn about the garden, tour the orchard, see what's growing, and sit in on a workshop about seeds, seedlings, and GMOs, led by Stephanie Meckler.When: March 19th, 10AM-2PM
The workshop will be from 10AM-12PM
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Hermosa Beach: Art in the Park
Calling artists of all ages! Participate in painting a Hermosa Beach Community Mural Project and building a community garden. Your donations will benefit the rebuild of the Hermosa Beach Community Garden in South Park. Donations to paint are $5 and up. Food, drinks, and chocolate will be available for purchase.
When: Saturday, March 19th, 10AM -3PM
Where: Hermosa Beach Community Garden, South Park
425 Valley Drive, Hermosa Beach, CA, 90254
Details: visit our website or email communitygarden@hermosabch.org
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The Arboretum's Crescent Farm Series
It'd be nice to wake up on a Saturday without the necessary allure of coffee. As the Los Angeles County Arboretum introduces their new Crescent Farm Series, you'll have a new reason to get out of bed! Receive hands-on training in water conservation and sustainable gardening, all in the beautiful Crescent Farm. Each class is different so head over to the Arboretum and see what March and April have to offer.
The Arboretum is also extending a special membership discount to LACGC members! Receive $25 off the annual $75 family membership and enjoy numerous benefits such as free admission to over 100 gardens throughout the US, special event invitations, extended summer hours and more! Take advantage of this wonderful offer by contacting Ivonne Escobedo, Membership Coordinator at (626) 821-3233 or ivonne.escobedo@arboretum.org. Simply mention you are a member of Los Angeles Community Garden Council to receive this special Family Membership price.
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Grow LA Victory Garden Classes
Ready to dust off the gardening tools? The UCCE Grow LA Victory Garden Initiative class schedule for Spring 2016 is up. Classes start in April and with 16 locations scattered about LA, you can easily find your closest location. Soon, you'll be a master gardener, or at the very least, there will be less plant casualities on your hands!
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Whole Health Mastery Classes
Are you struggling with weight, diabetes, or other health issues? Join LACGC, Kaiser Permanente, and Katherine Nilbrink, MA, CHHC as we join forces to achieve healthy, active lives. The 6 week series will provide healthy cooking classes, gardening techniques for growing healthy food, shopping on a budget, and personalized nutrition advice for your specific needs! The classes will run from April 16th through May 21st. To sign up and for more information, contact Katherine at 323.942.9676 or info@lifetrekk.com
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Volunteer Days - Get Dirty with LACGC!
Mark your calendars and break out the gardening gloves! We have some great volunteer opportunities coming up, for green-thumbs and novices alike.
East Hollywood: Saturday, April 2nd, 9AM-12PM
1171 Madison Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Spring Street: Saturday, April 9th, 9AM-1PM
220 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Stanford Avalon: Saturday, April 16th, 9AM-12PM 658 E. 111th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90059
PSST... there are more! Visit our Events Page for more info about each of these volunteer days, to RSVP, and for other upcoming work days!
For a full list of our upcoming Volunteer Events, head on over to our website to see what's in store!
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Eagle Rockdale Plant Sale & Open House
Eagle Rockdale Community Garden has been busy growing organic fruits and veggies-- and now you can too! Join the garden for a plant sale and enjoy the open house. You'll get to see a fun garden, leave with summer veggies, tomatoes, and more. All the plants will be $3.50 each and proceeds will benefit the community garden. Cheers!
When: Sunday, April 10th, 2016. 10AM - 4PM
Where: Eagle Rockdale Garden
1003 Rockdale Ave, LA CA 90041
Contact: Visit our website or contact eaglerockcommunitygarden@gmail.com for more information.
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Earth Day Fest
The West Adams Neighborhood Council is hosting an Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 23rd. Taking place at the Westside Park and Good Earth Community Garden, there will be activities for attendees of all ages, exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, and more. Best of all, we'll be there! Bring the family and get ready for a day of fun centered around our lovely planet!
Where: Westside Park
3085 Clyde Ave, LA CA 90016
When: Saturday, April 23rd, 12PM - 4PM
Contact: WestAdamsNC@gmail.com
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Ask Al
Dear Al,
What do I do if I planted my seeds too closely and now that they've grown, they're over-crowded?
- OverSeeding Sally
Hello OverSeeding Sally,
If they aren't more than a foot tall, you can go along and save the bigger plants. Try and give 4 inches around the base to make sure it has enough room to breathe. As they get taller, you can thin them again, as needed. If the plants are too big to pull out by the roots, you can cut as close to surface as possible. I typically leave the healthier one, which isn't always the biggest so use your best judgment and enjoy the new space!
- Al
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"Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes"
- Unknown
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Volunteer with us!
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All the plants will be on sale for only $3.50. Get your organic veggies!
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Do you have a gardening question for Al? Send it this way and check next month's issue for an answer!
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Makena's Corner
A Plea for Fruit Trees
There is a loquat tree planted outside one of my friend’s homes that we find ourselves walking by in the spring to snack on a few of the sweet golden fruits. It makes me wonder why we don’t plant more fruit trees to serve a dual purpose.
Many are very easy to grow and can be trained to be a hedge just like so many
others that only provide greenery. Fruit trees provide shade and habitat for local wildlife, and also provide nutritional bonuses in the form or oranges, grapefruit, avocados and so much more. Take the time to look around you and find a place to plant a fruit tree I ask. Check out the local school if you need a suggestion. If you can’t find a place, then get a kumquat in a pot. My mom has 4 or 5 fruit trees on our small patio and always wants more. Once planted, you’re only a year away from enjoying the sweet success of arboriculture. Help feed our planet friends, and don’t forget to Get Dirty while doing it.
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