Officiated by the National Gardening Association in 2022, April is recognized as National Garden Month. The observance brings together gardeners and those who appreciate the innumerable benefits that gardening brings to individuals and their communities through various events, educational activities and much more.
The San Carlos Community Garden (SCCG) invites all to celebrate Spring and National Garden Month on April 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., during their Spring Celebration. This annual and free event welcomes all to enjoy live music, see the garden’s spring blooms, mingle with other community members, enjoy tasty treats and refreshments and much more.
Musical group, “The Almost Compost Band” will perform live, playing tunes that will inspire all ages to dance amongst the flowers while interacting with the dozen or so garden education exhibits, community partner information booths, and playful activity stations for kids and adults, including a Garden scavenger hunt.
National There will also be lots of free giveaways including tasty bags of kettle corn, fresh fruit provided by Keil’s Grocery Store, hot and cold refreshments provided by Brew Coffee Spot, and SCCG’s Produce Swap smorgasbord of herbs, produce and Ms. Bree’s “almost famous” homemade sourdough bread.
As part of their “Growing Community” mission, the SCCG will also be collecting non-perishable food items that will be donated to Good Shepherd Food Bank and gently used books for the SCCG’s “Little Free Library.”
Also taking place on April 15 from 9 a.m. -10:30 a.m. is the Upcycled Garden Art workshop. Led by Paige Kries, founder of Plant It Again, a non-profit that creates careers for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. In this make-and-take workshop, Kries will demonstrate how to take everyday objects and turn them into creative and unique pieces of garden art.
Participants are encouraged to bring a teacup or can choose from a provided selection. After participants design their garden art, succulent cuttings and soil will be provided to plant inside their teacups — a potential handmade Mother’s Day gift.
Advanced registration is required for the workshop. Garden members can register for free and non-garden members can attend for $10. More information and registration can be found at: sancarloscommunitygarden.com/garden-workshops.
With so much growing and happening in the Garden, ongoing activities happening in the garden, this is a fruitful time for many to plan a visit and become involved with the San Carlos Community Garden.
– Jessica Mills is a volunteer for the SCCG and senior at the University of San Diego. Mills helps with communication and marketing projects for the garden and the Youth Ambassador program.