SJSU Community Garden August Newsletter
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Happy August! We just wrapped up summer volunteering and have been preparing for the upcoming semester (keep reading for our new hours!). Lots and lots of things are growing quick. Read on for a look at the garden!
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Our garden cat, Boycott, just chillin per usual.
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Things are getting spicy!
Here are just six of the many varieties of peppers currently growing in the garden. Try them if you dare...
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Lady Hermit Chili
Used to make the Korean fermented pepper paste "gochujang."
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Poblano
Also called "ancho." Popularly used to stuff with minced meat and coated with eggs in the Mexican dish, chile relleno.
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🔥🔥🔥
Thai Chili (Bird's Eye)
Extensively used in Southeast Asian cuisines. Popularly used to give a kick in fish sauce dip, curries, and stir-fries.
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Jalapeño
Used in many forms in Mexican dishes such as salsa and pico de gallo. It also popularly filled with cream cheese (jalapeño poppers) in American culture.
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Fresno Chili
Popularly used in the Latin dish ceviche, salsa, and as an accompaniment for rice and black beans.
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Serrano
A spicier jalapeño, some may say. Used popularly in Mexican dishes to make salsa, hot sauce, relish, and garnish.
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Installing new vertical gardening structures
Thanks to the help of community members, together we built four new vertical garden structures of different shapes and sizes. We are experimenting with what to grow. Let us know if you have any fun ideas :)
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Filling the structures with soil mix.
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Drilling together the final pieces.
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Vining veggies
Speaking of vertical gardening, we already have some plants that are climbing vertically as they grow. More specifically, on our cattle panel arch trellises that house our opo squash, luffa gourd, cucumber, bitter melon, and more!
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Arch trellis that is being taken over by vining opo squash and luffa gourd.
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Opo squash weighing 3.7 lbs at 24 inches long!
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It's tomato central!
Tomatoes comes in all shapes and colors! Here's a snippet of some fun looking ones.
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Pumpkin-shaped tomatoes from its plump ridges. As the tomato ripens to red, it will develop lycopene which helps with sun protection and heart health.
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Dark purple hued tomato called "Lucid Gem." Its purple skin contains anthocyanin which helps with brain/heart health and inflammation.
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Compost
The compost center is undergoing a bit of a facelift. We completely emptied out two of the three compost bins and started to install permeable ground covers to catch runoff compost juices that can be used as fertilizer. Additionally, we installed a much more efficient “door” to contain the compost in the bin nice and snug. Bin #1 is full of organic matter and measures over 160F in the center. We can feel the heat of the hardworking microorganisms from just hovering our hands over the pile!
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Newly installed compost door using wood planks that slide through a notch on each end.
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The thermometer measuring the internal temperature of the compost pile is maxed out at 160F. It's likely over 160F!
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Fall Semester Volunteering & Open Hours
Summer events are officially wrapping up, and we are excited to begin the fall semester activities! Our open hours are on Mondays and Wednesdays 8am-2pm (no sign-up needed), and volunteer hours are Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays 9am-11am. Feel free to sign up for volunteering in advance :)
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August Community Board
Check out some events and other opportunities happening in August. Also, peep our physical community boards that were installed in front of the garden! One by the front gate, and one facing the street next to the signage.
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Free Summer Outdoor Movies @ St. James Park
Grab to-go from a downtown restaurant or our onsite food truck and come early for pre-movie fun and games. Park in the Market & San Pedro or Third Street garages. Parking is free for the first 90 minutes. Click here for more details.
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Downtown San Jose Farmers’ Market
Open Wednesdays 3 -7 pm through Nov 16. Located South First Street between San Carlos and San Salvador Streets in the SoFA District. Click here for more details.
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Viva Parks Downtown @ Plaza de César Chávez
Viva Parks is a series of FREE events focused on health and wellness resources, physical activity, and community. We connect people to people, build community pride, transform parks with positive programming, increase park usage, and bring resources to the neighborhood. Some events this summer include comedy night, wine & paint night, MACLA art showcase, and jazz shows. Click here for more details.
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No-Cost Green House Call
Provides FREE energy- and water-efficient equipment to households throughout the Bay Area, including LED light bulbs, high-efficiency showerheads, smart power strips, and more! Click here for more details.
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