Cultivate San Antonio Spring 2021

Cultivate San Antonio URBAN AGRICULTURE MAGAZINE Embrace New Growth

Garden for Wellness

Gather eggs in your backyard chicken coop!

Design your dream garden!

Improve your Mood

Grow your own herbal tea!

Reflect and Rejuvenate

Step

into

Spring Spring is here!

Check out our new comprehensive

meet san antonio's

queens of compost

directory and planting guide for your urban agriculture needs

INAUGURAL ISSUE - SPRING 2021

2021

Garden Olympics Join Gardopia Gardens in celebrating education, health, and the environment with the inaugural 2021 Garden Olympics. Postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Garden Olympics are now ready to unite the city around growing food to promote healthy lifestyles and environmental stewardship.

Together we can sow the seeds for a healthier, more sustainable San Antonio. The Garden Olympics are composed of three signature events that will highlight the good work occurring around the city in the midst of the 21st century gardening renaissance!

Spring garden competition a friendly online competition to increase knowledge and awareness of urban agriculture in the San Antonio region

Youth Garden Games a one-day event where youth and adults celebrate gardening, health, and environmental stewardship through garden related activities

GArden Awards GALA concluding ceremony to honor the urban agriculture individuals and organizations that make San Antonio a greener and healthier city Learn more at gardopiagardens.org/olympics

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 1

Table of Contents Cultivate San Antonio 3

Cultivate History & Awareness

Introducing Cultivate San

39 Antonio

Texas Agriculture &

For-Profit Prisons

Cultivate Local 4

Directory

15

Advocacy Feature: Green

Cultivate Health & Wellness

Space Alliance

43

Planting Seeds of Wellness

Business Feature: The

45

Gardening for Stress Mitigation

21

During Covid-19

Compost Queens

Cultivate Seasons 24

Crop Focus

28

Spring Planting Guide

32

The Good, the Bad, the Cold

34

Creative Essay: Personal

Reflections on the Spring

Equinox

Cultivate Tips & Tricks 47

Tips and Tricks for a

Happy City Flock

50

Designing a Garden of

Form and Function

53

Growing and Blending

your own Herbal Teas

CULTIVATE SAN ANTONIO

Introducing Cultivate San Antonio After a great deal of research and a little bit of sweat, we are thrilled to publish our first issue of Cultivate San Antonio. We’re a group of urban agricultural enthusiasts who realized the need for a one-stop resource for growing food in the city. Our purpose is to feature the amazing growers, gardens, businesses, and organizations that San Antonio has to offer, while equipping our readers with the information they need to get outside, get dirty, and get to work sowing an equitable and flourishing future.

We know that a green city is a thriving city, so we make gardening resources and knowledge accessible to everyone. Cultivate is full of tips, articles, and guides that will help you create beautiful and edible spaces, whether you’re the most seasoned gardener or are just beginning your planting journey. Our directory includes the most up to date information about local

agricultural businesses, farmers markets, and community gardens. In the Cultivate Seasons section, you’ll find information about which crops to plant when, and ideas to incorporate seasonal veggies into your diet.

Planting within city limits can be challenging, so we offer ideas and advice in our Cultivate Tips and Tricks section. Look here to learn about keeping chickens in your own backyard and to find other urban agriculture tips. Return to this section in the future, as we’ll include additional ideas for gardening with limited space and limited light.

Growing food is personal, and it can be anything from a casual to a radical act. We are proud to give voice to the problems plaguing our local food systems - from the climate crisis to the lack of social justice surrounding our food deserts. Our Cultivating History

section is dedicated to these issues, but you’ll also find them peppered throughout the magazine. With the weight of the social, environmental, and political climate, we understand the need for strengthening mental and physical wellness.

Head over to our Cultivate Wellness section to explore the relationships between gardening and health.

We invite you to join us on our journey to become San Antonio’s premier agricultural resource. Take a peek inside and let us know what you think.

And welcome to the Cultivate family!

The Cultivate San Antonio Editorial Team

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 3

CULTIVATE LOCAL

Directory stekraM sremraF

the most comprehensive list of local farms, markets, products, and services in all of San Antonio

Products & Services

Local Farms

4 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

Farmers Markets

9. Farmers Market at Herff Farm http://www.cibolo.org/ 830-249-4616

1.

33 Herff Rd

Alamo Heights Farmers Market

Boerne, TX 78006

alamoheightsfm.com 210-367-4673 255 E Basse Rd Suite 130,

10. Garden Ridge Market http://gardenridgemarketdays.com

San Antonio, TX 78209

602-920-9301

2.

1 9185 FM-2252

Alamo Ranch Farmers Market

Garden Ridge, TX 78226

http://alamoranchfarm.market 210-446-0099 11.

3.

Bandera Market https://www.banderamarket.com 740-563-2274

Helotes Area Farmers Market 210-420-4802 13222 Bandera Rd. Helotes, TX 78203

11625 Bandera Rd San Antonio, TX 78250

12. Huebner Oaks Farmers Market www.fourseasonsmarkets.com

4.

Bulverde Market http://www.bulverdemarket.com 830-438-3111

210-420-0488 413 N Main St. Cibolo, TX 78108

30280 Cougar Bend Bulverde, TX 78163

13. Legacy Farmers Market legacyfarmersmarket.com

5.

Cibolo Grange Farmers & Artisans Market https://www.facebook.com/CiboloGrangeFar mersMarket/

210-420-0488 16103 Henderson Pass San Antonio, TX 78232

210-249-6822 14. Live Oak Farmers Market

6.

Deerfield Farmers Market facebook.com/deerfieldfarmersmarket.satx 16607 Huebner Rd. San Antonio, TX 78248

www.facebook.com/liveoakfarmers marketonpatbooker (210) 473-0685 8151 Pat Booker Rd Live Oak, TX 78233

7.

Encino Farmers Markets www.fourseasonsmarkets.com 972-884-0680 22902 U.S. Hwy N San Antonio, TX 78259

15. Local Sprout www.localsprout.com 603-759-9781 503 Chestnut St San Antonio, TX 78202

8.

The Farm Connection www.thefarmconnection.org 210-674-2642 1595 S Main St Suite 120 Boerne, TX 78006

16. New Braunfels Farmers Market www.nbfarmersmarket.com 830-629-2223 186 S Castell Ave New Braunfels, TX 78130

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 5

17. Pearl Farmers Market atpearl.com/weekend-market

facebook.com/cielovistafarm

210-212-7260

812-453-4396

312 Pearl Pkwy San Antonio, TX 78215

18.

4. Cielo Vista Farms

San Antonio Farmers Market Association (multiple locations) sanantoniofarmersmarket.org

9260 Weir Rd Schertz, TX 78163

5. Fresh Traditions Farm www.facebook.com/FreshTraditionsFarm 210-389-6929 8975 New Sulphur Springs Rd

210-204-7939 San Antonio, TX 78263

100 Jackson Keller Rd San Antonio, TX 78216

19. San Antonio Food Bank (multiple locations) https://safoodbank.org/ourprograms/farmersmarket-nutrition-program/ (210) 431-8342 5200 Enrique M. Barrera Pkwy San Antonio, TX 78227

20. Spring Branch Market themarketatspringbranch.com 830-709-7262

Farms 1.

Behind the Oaks Farms facebook.com/behindtheoaksfarms 210-793-1027 Greaves Ln Schertz, TX 78154

2.

Braune Farms www.braunefarmsfreshproduce.com 830-643-9974 1300 Link Rd Seguin, TX 78155

3.

Brehm Farms brehmfarms.com 210-771-3147 8990 Hildebrandt Rd San Antonio, TX 78222

6 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 7

6.

Garcia Street Urban Farm

15. Peeler Farms

www.instagram.com/garciastreetfarm

peelerfarms.com

218 Garcia St

210-551-5828

San Antonio, TX 78203

3007 FM 539 Flooresville, TX 78114

7.

Granieri Family Farm 210-333-5184

16. R Farm

3851 Roland Rd

rfarmchicksandmore.wordpress.com

San Antonio, TX 78222

210-800-4695 1041 Farm-to-Market 2537

8.

Green Bexar Farm

San Antonio, TX 78221

http://www.greenbexarfarm.com 512-216-0033 14997 FM 1346

17. Rising Kale Farms www.risingkalefarms.com

Saint Hedwig, TX 78152

210-843-1962 9.

The Greenies Urban Farm

2230 Well Rd

https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2020/10/16/

Marion, TX 78124

greenies-urban-farm-to-demonstrateagriculture-in-the-city

18. Talking Tree Farm

1543 Sherman

http://talkingtreefarm.com

San Antonio, TX 78202

210-923-9044 6250 Pfeil Rd

10. The Green Microstead

Schertz, TX 78154

http://www.thegreenmicrostead.com 210-501-2185

11.

Products & Services

Miller Farms millerfarmsrawmilk.com

Plant Nurseries

210-508-1733 12730 FM 471

1.

Lacoste, TX 78039

Accent Plant Interior 210-648-1303

12. Miss Scarlett's Texas Homegrown

2.

Evergreen Garden Center

facebook.com/MissScarlettsTexasHome

www.evergreengardentx.com

Grown

210-735-0669

30315 Bartels Rd

922 W. Hildebrand Ave

Bulverde TX 78163

San Antonio, TX 78222 13. MT Rabbitry & Poultry Farm sanantoniorabbitsandchickens.com

3.

Fanick's Nursery

210-827-4686

www.fanicknursery.com

1610 Co Rd 5714

210-648-1303

Natalia, TX 78059

4. The Garden Center 14. Parker Creek Farms

thegardencenter.com

parkercreekranch.com

210-648-1303

2956 FM 2200

1025 Holmgreen Rd

D'Hanis, TX 78850

San Antonio, TX 78201

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 9

5. Green Gate Nursery

Bulk Materials

830-372-4060 990 S N Hwy 123 Bypass Seguin, TX 78155

1. Adam's Supply Co www.adamssupplyinc.com 210-822-3141

6. Milberger's Nursery www.milbergernursery.com

1434 E Bitters Rd San Antonio, TX 78216

210-497-3760 3920 N Loop 1604 E San Antonio, TX 78247

2. Adkins Materials adkinsmaterials.com 210-649-3836

7. Nature's Herb Farm naturesherbfarms.com

10966 US Hwy 87 E Adkins, TX 78101

210-688-9241 7193 Old Talley Rd #7 San Antonio, TX 78253

3. Barrels for Sale barrelsforsale.net 559-997-3682

8. Para Para Plants 210-809-2487

2610 S East Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78222

232 Kathy Dr San Antonio, TX 78223

4. Buckhorn Soil & Stone buckhornsoilandstone.net

9. Peterson Brothers Nursery

210-695-1911

210-333-6971

10685 W Loop 1604 N

1630 Creekview Dr

San Antonio, TX 78254

San Antonio, TX 78219

10. Rainbow Gardens rainbowgardens.biz 210-680-2394 8516 Bandera Rd San Antonio, TX 78250

.11. SANO Nursery facebook.com/SANOnursery 210-432-4265 285 W Quill Dr San Antonio, TX 78228

12. Shades of Green www.shadesofgreen.com 210-824-3772 334 W Sunset Rd San Antonio, TX 78209

10 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

5.

Dabco Stone & Soil

12. Tank Depot

dabcomaterials.com

www.tank-depot.com

210-426-6160

210-648-3866

12625 S Zarzamora St

2702 S East Loop 410

San Antonio, TX 78224

San Antonio, TX 78222

6. Ewing Irrigation (multiple locations)

13. Texas Soil and Stone

www.ewingirrigation.com

texassoilandstone.com

210-828-9530

210-497-1777

1041 N Interstate 35

26950 Bulverde Rd

San Antonio, TX 78233

San Antonio, TX 78260

7. Gardenville (multiple locations)

Edible Landscapers

www.garden-ville.com 210-404-1187

1. Compost Queens

11601 Starcrest Dr

https://www.compostqueenstx.com

San Antonio, 78247

210-640-9468

8. Gretchen's Bee Ranch

2. Two Hoes Gardening

gretchenbeeranch.com

twohoesgardening.com

830-305-7925

210-414-8660

2745 W Kingsbury St Seguin, TX 78155

3. The Landscape Cooperative www.LandscapeCooperative.com

9. Keller Material

972-742-8807

kellermaterial.com 210-967-1300

4. Uprooted Gardens

9388 Corporate Dr

uprootedgardens.com

Selma, TX 78154

210-842-5613

10. Landscape Solutions and Nursery

Education & Advocacy

soil4sale.com 830-985-3747

1.

Bexar Country Master Gardeners / Agrilife

3059 US-90

Extension

Castroville TX 78009

bexar-tx.tamu/edu 210-631-0400

11. New Earth www.newearthcompost.com

3355 Cherry Ridge #212 San Antonio, TX 78230

210-661-5180 7800 I-10 East San Antonio, TX 78219

2. Central Texas Mycological Society centraltexasmycology.com info@centraltexasmycology.org

12. Quality Organic Products

Circle Acres Nature Preserve

www.qualityorganicproducts.com

Grove Blvd

210-651-0200

Austin, TX 78741

15497 Lookout Rd Selma, TX 78154

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 11

3. Central Texas Young Farmers Coalition

12. National Center for Appropriate

centraltexasyoungfarmers.org

Technology

info@centraltexasyoungfarmers.org

ncat.org 210-265-3905

4. Cibolo Creek Nature Center & Farm cibolo.org

118 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78230

830-249-4616 140 City Park Rd Boerne, TX 78006

13. Native Plant Society of Texas npsot.org/wp/sanantonio npsot.sanantonio@gmail.com

5.

Eco Centro

2809 Broadway

ecocentrosatx.org

San Antonio, TX 78209

210-486-0417 1802 N Main Ave San Antonio TX 78212

14. San Antonio Botanical Gardens sabot.org 210-536-1400

6. Festival of Flowers safestivalofflowers.com

555 Funston Pl San Antonio, TX 78209

210-380-3532 1330 N. New Braunfels San Antonio, TX 78209

15. San Antonio Herb Market Association sanantonioherbmarket.com 866-923-2226

7. Food Policy Council foodpolicysa.org

16. San Antonio Seed Exchange Library

210-365-7175

facebook.com/groups/sanantonioseed

18202 Main Ave

exchange

San Antonio, TX 78212 17. San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo 8. Garden Volunteers of South Texas

sarodeo.com

gardeningvolunteers.org

210-225-5851

210-251-8101

723 AT&T Parkway

1254 Austin Hwy

San Antonio, TX 78219

San Antonio, TX 78209 18. San Antonio Water System 10. Gardopia Gardens

gardenstylesanantonio.com

gardopiagardens.org

210-704-7297

210-478-7292

2800 US-281

619 N. New Braunfels

San Antonio, TX 78212

San Antonio, TX 78202 19. Sowing Strength 11. Green Space Alliance

sowingstrengthsatx.wixsite.com/sowing

greensatx.org

strength-satx

210-222-8430

318-426-6109

108 E Mistletoe Ave San Antonio, TX 78212

12 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

20. Texas Nursery and Landscape

7. Moore's Feed

Association

mooresfeedandseedstore.com

tnlaonline.org

210-532-6328

grow@uprootedgardens.com

3721 Flores St San Antonio, TX 78214

21. Yanwana Herbolarios yanawanaherbolarios.org 210-872-8005

8. New Braunfels Feed nbfeed.com 830-625-7250

Feed & Seed

810 TX-337 Loop New Braunfels, TX 78130

1.

Alamo Feed 210-733-8211

9. Ramirez Feed

2230 Blanco Rd

ramirez-feed-store.edan.io

San Antonio, TX 78212

210-977-8993 3819 Nogalitos St

2. Bulverde Feed

San Antonio, TX 78211

bulverdefeed.com 830-438-3252

10. Rudy's Feed

29110 US-281

rudysfeedstore.com

Bulverde TX 78163

210-223-2832 1801 Nogalitos St

3. David's Garden Seeds

San Antonio, TX 78225

davids-garden-seeds-andproducts.com

11. St. Hedwig Feed

davidsgardenseeds@outlook.com

sthedwigfeed.com

5029 FM 2054

210-667-1346

Poteet, TX 78065

540 E FM 1518 S St Hedwig, TX 78152

4. Locke Hill Feed lockehill.com

12. Strutty's Feed

210-691-2351

struttys.com

4927 Golden Quail Ste 105

830-981-2258

San Antonio, TX 78240

28630 IH 10 Frontage Rd Boerne, TX 78006

5. King Seed Co dkseeds.com

13. Wildseed Farms

210-661-4191

wildseedfarms.com

4627 Emil St

830-990-1393

San Antonio, TX 78219

100 Legacy Dr Fredericksburg, TX 78264

6. Mini Ranch Feed miniranchfeedstore.com 210-628-1535 10103 Moursund Blvd San Antonio TX 78221

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 13

14 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

ADVOCACY FEATURE

Garcia Street Urban Farm: An Ecocentro & SAHA Project

Green Space Alliance

by Grace Carlin

Protecting green spaces is

we are dedicated to

2) The Picture Your World

important work in urban

sustaining the natural

Program offers

centers like San Antonio.

environment and enhanc-

opportunities for youth

As cities expand and the

ing urban spaces through

ages 8-18 to explore the

natural environment gets

land conservation,

natural environment

pushed farther away,

community engagement,

through the lens of a

many of us find ourselves

and education. Green

camera. Participating youth

searching for natural areas

Space Alliance administers

can enter their nature

within our reach – like

three programs to

photography into our

outdoor community

accomplish our mission:

annual competition

gardens. But how can community gardens grow

3) The Urban Land & Water

in a city like San Antonio,

1) The Land Conservation

Program supports a

and who is helping them

Program works with land

citywide network of

thrive?

owners to preserve open

community gardens. We

land for generations to

partner with those gardens

Green Spaces Alliance of

come. We focus these

to engage with the

South Texas (GSA) is a

efforts on land over the

community on local

nonprofit urban land trust

Edwards Aquifer and

gardening topics like water

located in San Antonio,

adjacent to San Antonio’s

conservation and native

Texas. Founded in 1998,

military bases

landscaping.

GSA recognizes that

Antonio, GSA administers a

for example, sits on

community gardens play

network of local community

multiple acres, while

an important part in

gardens. We provide

gardens like the Terrell

connecting San Antonians

member gardens with

Heights Community

to nature. Gardens aren’t

project funding, one-on-

Garden are the size of a

just places to grow plants:

one consultations, access

small traffic island. The

they’re spaces for education

to local volunteers, and

Blessed Sacrament

and play, for connecting as a

more. In 2020, GSA

Academy Early Learning

community, for relieving

supported more than 20

Sensory Garden provides a

stress, and for expanding

community gardens in the

safe space for young

food access. They also

network. The purpose of

children to play in nature,

represent a unique

the network is to promote

whereas the International

opportunity to preserve and

the long-term sustainability

Community Garden is a

grow green spaces in an

of gardens who participate

crucial way for neighbors

urban center. Since the

as network members

to put food on their

beginning of the COVID-

through individualized

families’ tables. No two

19 pandemic, many people

support.

gardens are the same, and

have turned to gardens as

that individuality is key in

a way to access nature,

Part of the beauty of our

providing engaging,

improve their mental and

community gardens

meaningful spaces for

emotional wellbeing, and

network is that each

communities.

provide fresh produce for

member is unique.

their households.

Community gardens vary

Green Space Alliance is

widely in terms of size,

proud to support San

So that we can help

scope, purpose, and vision

Antonio’s ever-growing

gardens thrive in San

Garcia Street Urban Farm,

community garden scene.

More and more people are learning what gardeners have known for years: gardens have the power to nourish, heal, and transform communities.

Anyone can be a part of this transformation. We encourage you to take a look at our map of local gardens, explore ones near you, and consider supporting them as volunteers or partners. You may be surprised by how much a community garden can help you grow.

International Community Garden

16 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

Green Space Alliance Garden Directory

1.

2.

3.

4.

Alamo Heights Community Garden

6.

CIELO Community Garden

403 Ogden Ln.

10226 Ironside Dr.

San Antonio, TX 78209

San Antonio, TX 78230

Beacon Hill Community Garden

7. The Circle School Just Love Garden

1133 W. Gramercy Pl.,

217 Pershing Ave.

San Antonio, TX 78209

San Antonio, TX 78209

Bethany Community Garden

8. Collins Community Garden

500 Pilgrim Dr.

200 N. Park Blvd.

San Antonio, TX 78210

San Antonio, TX 78204

Blessed Sacrament Academy

9. Dellview Community Garden

Early Learning

1902 Vance Jackson Rd

Sensory Garden

San Antonio, TX 78213

1135 Misson Rd. San Antonio, TX 78210

10. Denver Heights Community Garden 300 Porter St

5.

Cable Elementary Community Garden

San Antonio, TX 78210

1706 Pinn Rd. San Antonio, TX 78227

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 17

11. Doral Club Community Garden

23. Jardín de la Esperanza

7750 Culebra Rd.

2806 W. Salinas, San Antonio

San Antonio, TX 78251

TX 78207

12. Eastside Sprouts/Ella

24.

Jardín del Barrio

Austin Community Garden

2121 SW 36th St.

1023 N. Pine St.

San Antonio, TX 78237

San Antonio, TX 78202 25. Jardín del Sol 13. Eco Centro Community Garden 1802 N. Main Ave.

400 N. Frio St. San Antonio, TX 78207

San Antonio, TX 78212 26. Jefferson Community Garden 14. El Dorado Community Garden 2606 Prima Vista St.

2350 W. Gramercy Pl. San Antonio, TX 78201

San Antonio, TX 78233 27. Labor Serena Community Garden 15. Garcia Street Urban Farm 218 Garcia St.

1246 Chalmers Ave. San Antonio, TX 78211

San Antonio, TX 78203 28.

16. Garden of Hope Therapy Garden 2303 SE Military Dr.

Lakeview Community Garden

1202 Plaza Lake Dr. San Antonio, TX 78245

San Antonio, TX 78233 29. Landa Library Gardens 17. Gardens of St. Therese 906 Kentucky Ave.

233 Bushnell Ave. San Antonio, TX 78212

San Antonio, TX 78201 30. Mahncke Park Community Garden 18. Gardopia Gardens 619 N. New Braunfels Ave.

330 Funston Pl. San Antonio, TX 78209

San Antonio, TX 78202 31. Mainland Square Community Garden 19. Gilbert Elementary Community Garden 931 E. Southcross Blvd.

Mainland Sq. & Pavilion Pl. San Antonio, TX 78250

San Antonio, TX 78214 32. Mission Library Community Garden 20. Green Bridges Community Youth Garden 4114 SW Loop 410

3134 Roosevelt Ave. San Antonio, TX 78214

San Antonio, TX 78227 33. Oblate School of Theology Gardens 21. High Country Community Garden 16418 Cypress Park St.

285 Oblate Dr. San Antonio, TX 78216

San Antonio, TX 78247 34. Olmos Park Terrace Community 22. International Community Garden 4242 Bluemel Rd. San Antonio, TX 78240

Garden 201 W. Mandalay Dr. San Antonio, TX 78212

Blessed Sacrament Community Garden

35. Pittman-Sullivan Community Garden

40. Southtown Community Garden

Dakota St. & S. Palmetto Ave.

1012 S. Presa St.

San Antonio, TX 78208

San Antonio, TX 78210

36. Reconciliation Oaks Community Garden8900 Starcrest Dr. San Antonio, TX 78217

37. River Road Community Garden

41. Spicewood Elementary Community Garden 11303 Tilson Dr. San Antonio, TX 78224

42. Sutton Oaks Community Garden 2818 I-35 N.

E. Huisache Ave. & Allison Rd. San Antonio, TX 78208

San Antonio, TX 78212

43.

38. Roosevelt Justice Community Garden Mitchell St. & Mission Rd.

Terrell Heights Community Garden

670 Greenwich Blvd.

San Antonio, TX 78209

San Antonio, TX 78210 45. YWCA Olga Madrid Teen Garden

39. Roots of Change Community Garden 1416 E. Commerce St.

503 Castroville Rd. San Antonio, TX 78237

San Antonio, TX 78205

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 19

Terell Hills Community Garden

For

inquiries

about

the

Green

Space Alliance garden network of community gardens, please email us

at

To

community@greensatx.org.

learn

more

about

Green

Spaces Alliance, you can email us at

info@greensatx.org

or

call

office at (210) 222-8430.

20 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

our

BUSINESS FEATURE Compost Queens

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

by Amanda Micek

Amanda: So first off, what made you want to

with the local food movement, so it was just

start Compost Queens?

sort of like all the things I was interested in coming together.

Kate: It was actually my mom’s idea. She saw a documentary on PBS about a

A: What year was Compost Queens actually

woman in Brooklyn using bokashi style

founded?

composting, but at the time I was working as a social worker who was an

K: That was spring of 2017 that we started.

administrator for a public school program. I

We kind of started it and my contract went

was super burned out and it just sounded

through the summer and so we started it on

like a smart idea. So we just kinda did some

the downlow. My boss knew I was leaving,

research and decided to jump in. I am

but otherwise I kept it pretty quiet. *laughs*

always concerned about the environment. I feel like I’ve always been concerned about

A: Before, you were mentioning people were

climate change since I was like eight—that

asking: why should we compost? So how would

was in the 80s—when nobody was super

you answer that?

worried about it. I’m also a foodie obsessed Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 21

K: So there are a couple reasons. I love this

K: Yeah so we use bokashi in our collection.

saying: ‘it’s not waste until you waste it.’ So

It was developed in Asia, but it’s used

food scraps in the landfill break down really

predominantly there and places like

fast, but they break down into methane

Australia. It’s an inoculated substance. You

because they don’t have what you need for

can use bran, you can use a lot of other

compost. It doesn’t have air and moisture

materials. You layer it with food scraps in

and things like that. And methane is more

an anaerobic environment and it basically

detrimental to the environment than carbon

ferments the food scraps. So it's not an

dioxide. It makes up a big portion of the

environment that bugs can live in because

landfill, but you take those same food

there’s no air, it's anaerobic and because of

scraps and you compost them and they

that lack of air also it’s not decaying. It’s

create great soil which reduces the need for

fermenting, so it smells pickled rather than

watering as much because it retains

the nasty, knock you out horrible smells you

moisture, creates healthier plants so they

might get otherwise. So that’s great for our

don’t have as many pests, and you don’t

customers because it's less unpleasant for

need to use pesticides. Then there is

them to do it. If you’re doing bokashi at home

increasing research that a certain amount of

really all you have to do with those fermenting

compost put in the ground actually helps

food scraps is bury them underground. There’s

sequester carbon out of the atmosphere so

a lot of different ways to do it depending

it’s helping reverse the effects of climate

on what your space is.

change. So it's like you’ve got this food scrap that can either be awful or amazing.

A: And with bokashi can’t you compost more

And we know that not everybody can

types of food scraps, like meat?

compost because they live in an apartment or it grosses them out or whatever reason.

K: So the deal with traditionally composting

We are not here to judge. We will do the

meat is that it’s going to attract more

dirty work for you. You just give us your food

animals to it and the typical backyard

scraps, we will give you a way to collect them.

doesn’t get hot enough to handle the pathogens that come out of that. So we

A: You guys focus on bokashi composting. Do

can take basically any soil food scrap raw

you want to explain what that is and why it's

or cooked, so we can take meat, we can do

maybe better than other types of composting?

dairy, we can take bones, we can take citrus. We can take all of the solid food scraps that most people can’t traditionally deal with in their backyard.

A: What are all the services you offer at Compost Queens?

K: I think we are most known for our residential services. For our residences we do a monthly pick up of food scraps. We provide you with a kit to collect your food scraps using bokashi so you don’t have horrible smells and bugs and you can either have us pick it up once a month or we have a growing list of drop off sites around town

22 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

where you get a code and you can just go

A: Where do you sell your products like the

exchange your bucket as frequently as you

bokashi flakes? Is it just online or are they in

want to. So if space is a concern or you

stores?

don’t have a ton of food scraps that’s a good option. We also do a weekly or

K: So right now the bokashi flakes are for

customized pick up for commercial

sale on our website. You can also get them

businesses for any of their food scraps

through the Pearl Curbside Farmers

using bokashi and then we take those food

Market. You can order online through them

scraps and turn it into soil on the local farm

and then if you are a member of Food

so our customers get soil back twice a year.

Connection, they have it available for sale

Then we also have it available for sale, bulk

and then we are hoping to have it on some

and in bags. We sell the bokashi flakes and

local retail shelves soon.

home composting kits if you want to do it yourself at home. Then we are also doing a

A: Is there anything you want to mention

soil enrichment plan. So those fermented

specifically for our readers?

buckets of food scraps are just like full of the nutrients that come in the food scraps

K: Follow our social media and if anyone

so if you have a garden bed — it can be just

ever has any questions about our services

a small raised bed to a large in ground

or what you can or can’t compost we are

garden — we can come out and spread out

always available to answer any questions

those buckets of food scraps and then we

through our socials or our website. We also

cover it with soil (or you can do it yourself

have a newsletter where we always talk

for a lower cost) and that will enrich your

about our upcoming events, include tips,

soil in a really quick time. So in about two to

and feature local companies that are also

three weeks you’d be able to plant there.

doing stuff we believe in.

The soil enrichment is our newest service.

A: And why might someone want to enrich their soil? What is that and what’s the process?

K: Say you have a yard with space for a garden, but you don’t know anything about that soil. Like maybe it’s heavy clay or something like that so we can actually do a test of the soil for you. Then we just need a trench dug and then we can spread out the the food scraps and then cover it back up with soil. And then those fermented food scraps start to break down with the soil microbes so it really enriches your soil and you’ve got like really great loose soil so you don’t have to go till the whole bed. That will sort of help get it going and then you'll have much better balanced soil for growing plants

Check out Kate and the Compost Queens on Facebook and Instagram @compostqueens or their website www.compost queenstx.com

and then we can do a post test to show what the fungal and bacterial activity is and things like that.

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 23

CULTIVATE SEASONS

CROP

FOCUS

Food for thought with an up close look at four seasonal veggies

White Potatoes Recipe History

Aloo Gobi

Potatoes were first grown in Peru by the Incas. When the Spanish colonized the Incas they transported the potatoes back to Europe where they spread across the continent. Sir Walter Raleigh introduced the crop to Ireland in 1589. In 1621, potatoes made their way to the American colonies when a shipment of food was sent to Jamestown.

Ingredients 2 potatoes cut into 1/2 inch cubes 1 chopped cauliflower head 1 diced onion 2 cloves minced garlic 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp coriander powder 1

Growing Tip Potatoes do well in raised beds, spaced a foot or more apart, in areas that get at

tbsp olive oil

Preparation

Over medium heat, place olive oil in a pan and lightly brown the onion and garlic

least six hours of sunlight.

Health Benefits

Add the potato pieces and cook for about 3 minutes, occasionally stirring.

Potatoes are an excellent source of Add the cauliflower and cook for about 3

vitamin C and potassium! A medium minutes, occasionally stirring.

sized potato contains 30% of your daily vitamin C value and 15% of your daily Add the remaining ingredients and stir to

potassium! In addition, potatoes are free combine. Cover and continue to cook until

of fat, sodium, and cholesterol. the potatoes and cauliflower have softened, about 15 minutes.

Fun Fact Potatoes were the first vegetable grown in space!

Best over rice and/or with naan.

Optional: top with lime juice and/or cilantro.

Tomatoes

Fun Fact Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable?

Botanists and biologists will tell you that the

History Tomatoes were first grown by the Aztecs.

Spanish conquistadors, including Cortes, took the crop back to Europe in the mid 1500s. From there, the plant spread across

tomato is a fruit, but after the passage of the Tariff Act of 1883, the US Supreme Court ruled that the tomato is a vegetable, making it exempt from the new tariffs on fruits imposed in the law.

Europe and Asia. Despite the plant

Recipe

originating in the Americas, tomatoes were considered poisonous and were not popular in the North American colonies until

Spring Tomato Bites

Thomas Jefferson took an interest in them Ingredients

Growing Tip

5 Fresh tomatoes 1 ball of fresh mozzarella

Tomatoes do great in soils high in organic matter and temperatures between 70-75 degrees. Be careful when the temperatures

1 bunch of fresh basil leaves salt and pepper to taste oil and vinegar to taste

start to get near the 90s!

Preparation

Slice

Health Benefits

the

tomatoes

and

place

on

a

serving

platter.

Slice the cheese the same thickness as the

Tomatoes are a great low-calorie option tomatoes. Put one slice on each tomato.

since up to 95% of the fruit is composed of water. In addition, tomatoes are high in: Top

with

one

whole

basil

leaf.

Add

salt,

vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin K1. pepper, oil, and vinegar to taste.

.

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 25

Fun Fact Swiss chard does not originate from Switzerland! Rather, a Swiss scientist is responsible for the vegetable’s scientific name, hence the “Swiss”

Recipe

Swiss

Chard

and

Chickpea

Pasta

Swiss Chard History

Ingredients

1 bunch swiss chard 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed

Swiss chard is native to Southern Europe and was used by the ancient Greeks. It was brought over to North America by the colonists. Even though the crop is ancient, little is known about its history since it is

spaghetti or bucatini noodles 1 clove of garlic 1 teaspoon of capers 1 lemon 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp red pepper flakes

often conflated with other vegetables, such as beets.

Preparation

Cook the pasta al dente

Growing Tip Over medium heat, pour the olive oil

Swiss chard is a very hearty vegetable that can withstand both

into a skillet and sauté

minced garlic

for 1-2 minutes

heat and frost. Plant about 18 inches apart in rich, well-drained soil.

Add the chard and cook until tender.

Stir in the noodles and chickpeas

Health Benefits

Season with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. If using, top

Swiss chard is highly nutritious. It has high amounts of: vitamins K, A, and C, as well as magnesium, iron, and dietary fiber.

26 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

with cheese

Lima Beans History

Recipe

Gardopia Stew

Lima Beans are native to Peru and were grown by the Inca and Moche

Ingredients

civilizations. They are believed to have been cultivated before corn. The crop

3 cups soaked lima beans

then spread to the American

3 chopped celery stalks

Southwest and was grown by native

2 chopped carrots

groups in the region. Spaniards

1 diced onion

brought lima beans to Europe in the

2 cloves chopped garlic

16th century and the crop spread

4 1/2 cups vegetable broth

across the continent and into Asia.

1 sprig chopped parsley sea salt to taste one dash of Tabasco

Growing Tip They grow best in temperatures

1

tbsp olive oil

Preparation

between 70-80 degrees and in welldrained soils.

Over medium heat, place olive oil in a large pot and sauté onion, garlic, and carrot until

Health Benefits Lima beans are high in iron and cholesterol-reducing fiber.

fragrant and starting to brown.

Add the broth, seasoning, and beans and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer and stir occasionally. Simmer until beans are tender, about forty five minutes.

Fun Fact The Lima bean is named after Peru’s capital - Lima!

Add chopped parsley and season to taste.

Serve with avocado.

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 27

SPRING PLANTING GUIDE USDA Zones 8b / 9a Plant Type

March

Artichokes

Companions

Planting Range

|

April

|

May

M------A------M

|

June

Peas, Sunflower, Tarragon

Basil, Marjoram, Asparagus

M---

Parsley, Tomatoes

Corn, Cucumber, Beans

Peas, Rosemary, M------A------M

Stawberry, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Thyme, Sage

Beets

Beans, Lettuce, M-------A-----

Marjoram, Onion, Potatoes

Blackberries

M-------A

Bee Balm, Borage, Rue, Hyshop, Mint

Collards

M------A------M

Potatoes, Onions, Cucumber

Beans, Cucumber,

Corn

M------A------

Dill, Melon, Parsley, Peas, Squash, Sunflower, Sage, Thyme

Beans, Corn, Dill,

Cucumber

M------A------M

Lettuce, Onion, Peas, Peppers, Tomatoes, Thyme

Eggplant

M------A------M----

Beans, Marjoram, Potatoes,

Herbs

M------A------M

Beans, Garlic, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Thyme, Sage

Leafy Greens

M------A------M

Onions, Beans, Peppers, Sage, Thyme, Strawberry, Tomatoes

Leeks

M------A------M

Carrots, Onion, Sage, Thyme

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 29

Corn, Marigold, Squash, Melons

M------A------M

Sunflower, Sage, Thyme

Okra

A------M------J-----

Peas, Radishes, Peppers, Tomatoes, Beans, Sunflowers

Cucumber, Radish, Peas (Southern)

M------A-------M-------J-----

Tomatoes, Corn, Parsley, Peppers, Squash, Strawberry, Sage, Thyme

Peppers

M------A------M----

Basil, Cucumber, Oregano, Parsley, Peas, Rosemary, Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Sage, Thyme

Potatoes

M------A------M

Beans, Cabbage, Beets, Coriander, Dill, Marigold, Marjoram, Peas

Radish

M------A------M------

Peas, Lettuce, Cucumber, Beans

30 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

M-------A-------M--Squash

Corn, Lettuce, Melon, Peas, Peppers, Sage, Thyme, Marigold, Nasturtium

Strawberries

M-------A

Beans, Garlic, Lettuce, Onions, Peas, Thyme, Sage

Sunflowers

M------A------M

Beans, Corn, Squash

Sources Texas A&M Agrilife Windowbox.com Gardenstead Idep Foundation One Creative Mommy Afristar Fanick’s Garden Center Frost Date SFGate Urban Farmer

if you have questions, contact Gardopia at info@gardopiagardens.org

The Good, the Bad, the Cold: A Look Back at Winter Storm Uri by Stephen Lucke If you’re from San Antonio, then you

then the front came out of seemingly

probably long for snow every winter.

nowhere. By Saturday morning the 13th, it

When the cold season comes around,

was 32 degrees and dropping. Leading up

many of us watch nostalgic films such as

to the cold front, gardeners around the

The Grinch, Rudolph, or A Christmas

city were doing everything they could to

Story. All of these movies have one thing

cover their plants. Normally a freeze

in common, and it’s something that San

doesn’t last more than 12 hours, and

Antonio rarely gets - snow! This past

almost never does one last longer than 24

February, when the forecast predicted

hours, so it made sense to protect

temperatures in the twenties and teens,

everything possible. True to the forecast,

any regular San Antonian would simply

the sun didn’t return quickly to warm

shrug it off, and say, “sure.” Well, this

things up as usual. Instead, the

winter was different. It answered the

temperatures continued to dive lower. By

prayers of thousands around the city, and

Monday morning, some areas of San

reminded us of the old adage to “be careful

Antonio hit the single digits and were

what you wish for!”

buried in 6 inches of snow!

Winter Storm Uri became a topic of

Then havoc set in Texas, with power grids

discussion the first week of February. Just

shutting down and water systems soon to

days before Uri got close, San Antonio

follow. While plants were the least of San

was a warm and sunny 70 degrees. And

Antonians' concerns, I couldn’t help but

32 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

worry about the damage when this storm

of us will spend this spring waiting for any

was all said and done. Day after day, the

sign of life from our damaged trees, while

city’s panic mode increased with lack of

simultaneously replanting for future fruits.

access to basic utilities. The snow didn’t melt and the temperatures weren’t rising.

If there was anything to learn from this

This was truly a devastating time for our

disaster, it was to always be prepared,

community, and the long term damage is

especially as the climate continues to

still to be assessed.

swing up and down. As gardeners, we understand that life is a cycle, and death is

Finally, about 5 days after the storm

inevitable. While we may have to wait to

began, the sun came out on Friday and the

harvest some of our favorite fruits again,

precipitation stopped. Looking over our

we now have the opportunity to start

snow-filled garden beds and decimated

anew. So, take those leaves, debris, and

plants, we started to assess the damage.

woodchips, start a compost pile, and get

Almost all the edible annuals were lost,

back to growing!

with the exception of a few cold hardy plants like spinach and celery. The damage to tropical fruit trees was similarly staggering, especially for less established trees. Fortunately, it seems like the stone fruits, hardwoods, and many native and invasive trees are going to make it. Many

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 33

Personal Reflections on the Spring Equinox A creative essay by Victoria Houser The pagan holiday Ostara is celebrated during the Spring Equinox, when the sun crosses the equator line heading north. Ostara originates from the ancient Germanic goddess of dawn and spring, Eostre, who signals the season of growth after winter’s darkness. Eostre marks the end of winter’s passive darkness with a sharp piercing dawn of vitality. Ostara is a celebration of earth’s imminent return to life.

Ostara occurs over a brief, transitory moment of

equinox.

contrasting

The

Spring

seasons

of

Equinox winter

balances and

the

spring

in

because so much of our institutional

which the massive stretch of dark, gritty cold

support is, in fact, empty and feckless.

months does not easily give way to the earth’s

While the winter months can provide

renewal

periods of intense internal growth, the

in

springtime.

The

Spring

Equinox

is

a

moment of piercing that exposes the shadow life

process of renewal always requires a gentle

experienced

that

tending to the piercing lightness of spring.

the

Ostara invites us to consider the cycles of

needs

in

tending,

winter. a

It

fragility

reveals

a

brought

wound forth

by

relentless drudgery of darkness.

our spiritual, mental, and physical wellness in the process of renewal.

This winter season brought unprecedented challenges with the unabating global pandemic,

Cleansing and Clearing

widespread violence against people of color, and the most recent storm that swept through

As the earth shifts to green new life,

Texas. In the past month alone, thousands of

resistance to the emerging energy is

Texas residents, already battered from the

natural. Ostara sits shrouded in the glow of

effects of COVID-19, suddenly faced the

dawn, offering fresh life, but the path

severity of a winter crisis that wreaked havoc

toward her is still dimly lit as we look out

on their lives. In times such as these it is

over the depth of shadows cast by winter’s

difficult to imagine the warm and gentle

cycle.

touches of spring. Nothing feels easy to carry because in the midst of the chaos, there is little

Hope is a heavy weight to carry through

support offered to those in need. The promise

months of grey solitude and ceaseless cold.

of spring's renewal seems empty and feckless

Winter’s harsh cycle of frozen hands,

34 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

frozen time, frozen pain does not easily give

the earth. Life through the lens of the

way to the delight of new life. Often

pandemic altered the entire structure of

resistance to rebirth rages wildly within our

social space, making community life

inner worlds, breaching the weight we’ve

impossibly distant. Then the police killings.

carried to protect ourselves against the harsh,

The deep layers of social wounds out in the

icy fingers of January, February, March. At

open, laid unspeakably bare. The social body

times it feels like an entire ocean froze within

brought to its knees begging for reprieve that

us. We need something to break through the

would only come through time and dedication

frozen pools of despair, hopelessness, defeat.

to extensive reparation.

Spring enters as that which “must be the axe

more from us than simply resharing on our

for the frozen sea inside us.” The wound

social media platforms. We must account for

becomes a point of reference, reminding us

the wounds we’ve caused, the wounds we’ve

that transitions stretch us open and break us

ignored, and the wounds we've denied.

Renewal demands

apart.

Ostara pierces through the bandages of French theorist Hélène Cixous published a

winter, the wrapping we’ve done to survive

series of essays titled Stigmata, a word that

the weary work of winter’s slumber. The

translates to “wound” or the opening of

Spring Equinox is both a singular moment and

oneself to pain. Here she writes, “the danger

a process. The precarious balance of light and

from inside is that complicated thing, the love

dark that occurs at the moment of dawn

of the wolf, the complicity that attaches us to

strips away the slumber of winter and casts

that which threatens us ... It is on the basis of

light into the shadowy corners of ourselves.

love that one recalls mortality. But as soon as I

We may have forgotten along the way our

love, death is there, it camps out right in the

capacity for life. Our propensity for hope. Our

middle of my body, in daylight.” Spring comes in a breath, in a breach of winter’s cold

unfathomable pools of compassion and kindness.

barriers. Yet, this very opening to light — to the potentiality of joy, growth, intimacy — breaks

The moment of dawn illuminates the

apart our solitude. The work of being made

boundaries of all that we forgot was possible.

whole again requires an open exploration, a

In the same instance, it opens a path before

cleaning, of what has been dormant for many

us that requires an airing of all that has been

cycles. During this time last year, in one blurry

covered for so long. Ostara presents an

month, the virus dangerously swept across

invitation for cleansing work, a journey

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 35

through our once shadowy world. Everyone’s

Eventually loss yields to life once again. Sit

cleansing work is uniquely their own. For some

with one another. Listen to the quiet noises

this could include rituals with water, letting the

of human hearts responding to life together.

the element wash through, over, and around

We can learn again and again how to be

your skin. Others might practice extended time

whole with one another. Open your hands.

standing still in the open air letting the crisp breath of March sweep through unseen

“The worst part of grief is this grief that

spaces. Other practical cleansing rituals could

doesn’t let itself be suffered,” Cixous writes,

include planting seeds, speaking life into your

“This absolute, infinite, indolorous suffering.

home, or clearing a space outdoors to

This too I will have had to come up against,

meditate. Clearing out dusty places in our

and consent to.”

psyche leaves a wide-open space for renewal and hope, a space where what was longed for

Grief is so deeply connected to the solitude

in the dark can manifest in the light. Take your

felt in seasons of loss that it can't be fought.

time. Be kind to your shadows and cycles of

But the consent to suffering that cannot be

entropy. Without the cycle of darkness, rest

passed over makes new patterns of growth

would be impossible. So, look favorably on

possible. We must look toward the horizon

what the winter brought to you as dawn

knowing that the revelation of spring’s dawn

breaks over the struggle for renewal.

will rend us to pieces. This wound is one that we cannot avoid, but we yearn for its arrival

Yearning and Levity

because in the balance there is a space where wholeness becomes possible again.

Periods of loss and darkness anchor us to our

When we come up against the dawn, there is

bodies. This can lead to feelings of

levity as we inhale and open.

powerlessness that give way to longing for freedom and light. Last year, movement with

Similar to the work of cleansing, opening

other bodies — meeting, touching, expressing,

oneself to the dormant yearnings of your

listening — shifted and at times everything felt

inner world can take many forms. Practice

unbearably cumbersome. Weary from another

grounding rituals such as breathing

Zoom session, we all felt the pull toward

exercises, yoga, or clearing a space in your

isolation. The trees quietly turned toward

schedule to be still for several minutes.

winter slumber, lost their leaves, buried life

Reflect on what you experience and feel in

down in their roots, and beckoned us to listen.

your body during these rituals. Putting

The instinct to isolation burned through bodies

language to what occurs can be tricky, so

as temperatures dropped and the world

focus on what your body feels without

quietly slipped into dreariness.

judgment or assessment at first. You can always return to this space to reflect when

At the Spring Equinox, Ostara provides an

you feel prepared for more cognitive work.

opportunity to heed the yearning for sunlight, growth, and peace, as she provides us with the

Renewal and Rebirth

knowledge that they are on the horizon of earth’s cycles. As we witness the sudden

All of us at times have felt limited by

transformation of trees and the shoots from

language, caged by what we cannot say. This

new life appear in nature, a longing floods

happens to us when the thing we want to

through our bodies. Yet, there is no immediate

say has no way of leaving our bodies, so our

retrieval of life. In this opening, yearning yields

very skin feels like a betrayal to us. Cixous

to loss.

put it like this:

36 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

“It is deep in my body, further down, beyond

brushes against the sunlight. Inhale and

thought. Thought comes in front of it and it

look around you, and when you release, let

closes like a door.” Bodies are weighted in

the growth you’ve experienced be for

varying degrees by the intimate grip of cultural

others.

and social forces. We must recognize that bodies have

Ostara’s invitation to rebirth and renewal is

always been

scathing, roaming over the bitter moments

scaled and sexed

of loss. Yet, in our process of walking back

in our social

to our bodies, conceding our vulnerability

systems very

and consenting to our small and large pain,

differently

we catch our naked and raw selfhood at a

depending on skin,

moment of newness. Opening ourselves to

gender, and ability.

the fragility of life is not a simple task,

In the past year,

indeed, it is perhaps the hardest thing we

we witnessed the

will learn to do in this life. The dawn can

scales bursting the

make no promises of new life for us. We

seams of inequity

must learn to make these promises to

that have been

ourselves. Renewal happens in the wake of

foundational to our

loss, and it will never undo the agony of

social sphere for

what once was, what could have been, and

centuries. The

what will surely recur. Acclaimed poet

weariness of neutrality will simply not

Maggie Nelson wrote, “I am not ashamed /

sustain us any longer. We must work toward

Love is large and monstrous. / Never again

creating different, more just and open spaces

will I be so blind, so ungenerous.”

for all bodies. We must find. ways to move together and shelter for vulnerable people.

May Ostara flash across our wintry shadowlands and usher in an audacious

In working through rituals of renewal and

lust for renewal. May we look at our scars

rebirth, create space in your daily life for

and open our hands in consent to life’s

movement. This is as simple as making

seasons. And may we be even more

coffee or tea in the morning or taking time to

generous, fearless, and frenzied in our new

revisit a walking trail you enjoy. Things might

markings on the following season.

feel creaky or heavy at first but take an account of what is happening internally as

References

you work through a task or walk through the woods. Invite your body to feel the expansion

Cixous, Hélène. Stigmata. 1998. Routledge.

of the movement in small ways. This does

Cixous, Hélène. Three Steps on the Ladder

not require physical motion or exertion.

of Writing. 1993. Columbia UP: New

Practice the simple act of validating your

York, 1993.

body’s physical needs. Suspend criticism of yourself as you stretch and breath. Allow

Nelson, Maggie. Something Bright Then Holes. 2007. Soft Skull Press

room for acceptance and release control.

Consider your neighbors. Feel your capacity for life and renewal extend outward toward others. You no longer need to hoard energy, time, resources. Let your life expand until it

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 37

38 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

CULTIVATE HISTORY & AWARENESS

Texas Agriculture and the For-Profit Prison Industry Part I

by Charlotte Lucke Warning: this article contains graphic

forced agricultural labor through the for-

descriptions of violence

profit prison system.

In many ways, the history of agriculture is

With the eradication of slavery, Southern

a history of violent exploitation. In the

plantation owners and state officials

United States, this history is most

scrambled to replace their lost labor and

apparent in its nearly two-hundred and

profits, fine tuning an answer to their

fifty year legacy of plantation owners’

problem through the Thirteenth

trafficking and use of Black slave labor to

Amendment. As recently resurfaced in

grow row crops for profit. In the state of

Ava Duverney’s 2016 award winning

Texas, slavery predates Anglo American

documentary film 13th, the Thirteenth

colonization, as detailed by award winning

Amendment declared that “Neither slavery

historian Damia Ramey Barry. Stephen F.

nor involuntary servitude, except as a

Austin’s partnership with Mexican

punishment for crime whereof the party

government officials, however, introduced

shall have been duly convicted, shall exist

plantation and chattel slavery to the

within the United States.” While the

region, and, as asserted by Barry, on the

amendment outlawed slavery, it included a

eve of the Civil War, Texas plantation

significant exception for those who had

owners had enslaved 182,566 people,

been convicted of a crime. As such, the

making up 30% of the Texas population.

Thirteenth Amendment simultaneously

While the Thirteenth Amendment

prohibited and legalized slavery, providing

prohibited slavery, embedded within its

plantation owners and the state a legal

jargon was a loophole that legalized

avenue through which they could violently

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 39

exploit agricultural labor. In doing so,

including carrying a firearm, making

plantation owners continued to coerce

insulting gestures, or stealing pigs.

people into agricultural labor while the

Reflecting on the Black Codes, early

state, prisons, and private entities

twentieth century social scientist W.E.B.

generated revenue at the cost of human

DuBois, in Black Reconstruction in

lives.

America, wrote about Black political action and activism during Reconstruction.

Although the Thirteenth Amendment

Reflecting on systematic repression of

legalized slavery for convicted criminals,

Black political action, he also details the

the use of prisoner labor for profit had

policies simultaneously imprisoning Black

precedence in Texas prior to the passing

people, writing that since 1876, they “have

of the amendment. In 1852, Texas

been arrested on the slightest provocation

inmates built the first profitable prison

and given long sentences or fines which

entity after Governor Peter Hansborough

they were compelled to work out.”

Bell persuaded legislatures to invest in

Scientific racism, which wrongfully

goods to build and run a sustainable

insisted that Blackness signified biological

cotton mill at the Huntsville Prison. In

inferiority and criminality, unjustly further

1856, the Huntsville Mill operated as a

motivated the policing and incarceration of

profitable business that processed five

Black people. This belief system also

hundred bales of cotton and six thousand

motivated groups to violently take the law

pounds of wool, generating $16,000 in its

into their own hands, as evident by the

first year. Thus, prior to the passing of

historical and horrifying precedent of

the Thirteenth Amendment, the

lynch mobs.

framework for using prison labor to earn profits was already in place, suggesting

With the sudden increase in the prison

that Texas’s use of prisoner labor was a

population following the Civil War, Texas

model for the loophole written into the

prisons quickly fell into disarray and

amendment. Following the passing of the

dismay as the prison held nearly twice as

Thirteenth Amendment, racist backlash

many convicts as it was built to hold. In

and greed fueled the development of laws

1871, prison superintendent A.J. Bennett,

and policies that targeted Black people,

in 1871, proposed a solution to this

igniting what can be considered as the

problem and persuaded Texas legislatures

first wave of mass incarceration. These

to lease the entire prison to Ward, Dewey,

policies realized the amendment's

and Company of Galveston for

purpose, which was, as proven successful

$325,000. The private company

by Texas prisons, to use convict labor to

improved prison conditions and put

increase profit margins.

prisoners to work, and it was here enslaved laborers began to both grow and

After the Civil War, the Texas inmate

process crops. Records show that two-

population drastically increased as law

thirds of the prison inmates produced

enforcement and the judicial system

cotton and wool garments, shoes, boots,

targeted and convicted Black people for

and other goods for state employees and

petty crimes under a set of laws called

buildings. Despite making improvements

the Black Codes. Historian Carol

under Ward-Dewey, the extremities of

Anderson details the Black Codes as

prisoner abuse continued, becoming

brutal laws intended to extract labor for

nationally apparent after the arrival of

acts criminalized only for Black people,

emaciated Texas inmates to a Kansas

40 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

prison in 1874. The former Texas inmates

arms, and throwing them on ant hills. In

testified to having been starved, denied

response to Briggs’s series and public

warm clothing, and subject to whippings

outcry, Texas legislatures began the

and torture. In 1874, Texas legislatures

process of yet another investigation

investigated the prison, leading to further

which, unsurprisingly, once again revealed

evidence of prisoner abuse.

degrading, unsanitary, and brutally violent conditions.

The 1874 investigation of the prison, with its realization of prisoner abuse by prison

This investigation, compiled in the 1910

guards, led to the termination of the

Report of the Penitentiary Investigation

Ward-Dewey contract. After its

Committee, includes testimonies by

termination, Cunningham & Ellis, owners

inmates from close to thirty state prisons

of the Imperial Sugar Company, signed a

and lease sites. These inmates testified to

five-year prison lease with the state.

the conditions of prison and lease sites,

While there were again attempts to make

including descriptions of dirty clothing,

improvements, the prison conditions got

brutal punishment, scarce meals, forced

worse, and in 1883, the leasing system

labor, murder, and punishment for not

collapsed due to its ongoing scandals. The

picking enough cotton. For example, on

state then transitioned to leasing

July 21, 1909, John Lenz of the Huntsville

prisoners to private plantations through

penitentiary testified that prisoners at

convict leasing. Historian Theresa R. Jack

Imperial Sugar were whipped in the turn

writes that in 1878, for example,

row twenty to thirty times with a six foot

Governor Richard Hubbar leased convict

long, four inch wide leather strap. When

labor to prominent Texas sugar planters

asked if he had been whipped, he

at the price of $3.01 per convict, which

responded, “No sir; I worked like a slave.”

helped to establish one of the largest sugar plantations in the country. Under

After the completion of the investigation in

convict leasing, prisoners were subject to

1910, Texas outlawed convict leasing. By

plantation conditions. As written by

this time, however, the state had already

activist and scholar Angela Davis,

engineered another profit model by

“Through the convict lease system, Black

purchasing and operating its own prison

people were forced to play the same old

farms. In 1883, the state purchased

roles carved out for them by slavery.”

Wynne farm from Cunningham & Ellis, Huntsville, Texas, and on this farm,

Convict leasing continued in Texas prisons

inmates grew corn, vegetables, cotton, and

until the conclusion of an investigative

animal fodder for the prison's own use on

report following a series of articles in the

the 1900-acre land. The state purchased

San Antonio Express News by journalist

the Harlem sugar plantation in 1886, and

Waverly Briggs. From 1909-1910, Briggs

in 1908, the state bought Riddick, Imperial,

exposed dire prison conditions to a public

and Ramsey farm, a piece of land

audience, describing prison guards who

consisting of five former plantations. Thus,

used attack dogs and whips to force

by the time legislatures abolished convict

convicts to work, who routinely shot

leasing, Texas already had a system that

prisoners attempting to escape, and who

generated profits from agricultural labor

punished inmates by dragging them

through its own state prisons. Within its

behind horses, hanging them by their

own prisons and agricultural programs,

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 41

conditions remained unjust. Despite attempts at reform, investigations through the 1940s continued to report the same problems of unsanitary conditions,

References

inhumane treatment, faulty record keeping, and political interference.

Berry, Dana Raimey. 2014. In Texas, history of slavery is unique - but not

Although the initial purpose of the prison agricultural programs was to offset the costs of housing inmates in state prisons, following the Civil War, state officials criminalized petty crimes for the purpose of maintaining slave labor for state and corporate profit. The history of prison agriculture cannot be separated from its entanglement with the history of systemic racism in the United States - a history that continues still today.

'brief.' MySa. Davis, Angela. 1983. Women, Race, and Class. Vintage Books.

DuBois, W.E.B DuBois. 1935. Black Reconstruction in America: Toward a History of the Part Which Black Folk Played in the Attempt to Reconstruct Democracy in America, 1860-1880.

Transaction Publishers.

Ava Duvernay & Jason Moran. 2016.

13TH. Netflix Studios.

Jach, Theresa R. 2005. Reform versus

The historical use of slave and prisoner labor is also tied to a history of exploiting land for profit. Within this enterprise, the land, along with people and animals, are exploited through a power dynamic in which legal violence is sanctioned as a means to control and coerce criminalized violence. Recent moves toward restorative justice models led by activists and scholars such as Angela Davis seek alternatives to the violent punitive model. An essential part of restorative justice includes bearing witness to the historical state and corporate exploitation of the many for a profit margin and ideology that benefits the few.

Reality in the Progressive Era Texas Prison. The Journal of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era Perkinson, Robert. 2010. Texas Tough: The Rise of America’s Prison Empire.

Metropolitan Books. New York.

Prints and Photographs Collection, 1976/31-168. Texas Department of Corrections Photographs. Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Order of the House of Representatives.

1910. Report of the Penitentiary Investigating Committee including All Exhibits and Testimony Taken by the Committee. Legislative Reference Library of Texas.

In the next issue of Cultivate San Antonio, the 2nd installation of this series will examine mass incarceration, for-profit prisons, and agricultural programs from the 50s to the present day.

42 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

Fear, Force, and Leather - The Texas Prison System's First Hundred Years, 1848-1948. 2019. Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

CULTIVATE WELLNESS

Mental Health and Gardening: Planting Seeds of Wellness

by Kendalle Wexler

What does it mean to have a healthy

Gardening has many healing effects

mind? In reality, a healthy mind can look

directly related to improving one’s

different person to person. At a universal

mental health. Gardening allows you to feel

level, a first step in addressing what your

grounded in your current experience, stirs

version of a healthy mind looks like is

feelings of purpose, and can serve as a

having an understanding of how to

mirror for your own personal growth —

manage your own mental health. Try to

planting literal and figurative seeds of

think about managing your mental health

wellness. Even the soil has healing

through the following analogy. Imagine

effects. Dr. Catherine Paddock writes

yourself as a pressure cooker. Now think

about research demonstrating how soil’s

of all the stress, frustrations, and

bacteria, mycobacterium vaccae, has

expectations you face on a daily basis as

been found to activate brain cells to

being pressures that build within you. If

induce the production of serotonin.

you don’t find a way to let the growing

Serotonin is a hormone directly related

steam out, the top on this pressure

to mood stabilization, happiness, feelings

cooker is going to explode (probably

of well-being, and overall life-

harming those closest to you). Finding

satisfaction. Low levels of serotonin are

ways to let the steam out before you’ve

related to a wide range of mental health

reached that point of explosion is an

disturbances including anxiety,

effective strategy for managing your

depression, aggression, bipolar disorder,

mental health. One way to release steam

and obsessive compulsive disorder

is through gardening.

(Paddock, C. 2007).

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 43

Given that gardening incorporates exposure to elements naturally promoting the production of serotonin, it can directly lead to a reduction of anxiety and depression symptoms, improved attention, interruptions of negative ruminations (also known as harmful thought spirals), and decreased cortisol (stress hormone) levels for those who garden (Elmer, J. 2019). This is why gardening can be used as a strategy for individuals to periodically release steam.

For these reasons, gardening is an effective mental health treatment approach, often medically referred to as horticultural therapy.

I encourage you to find ways to let your steam out on a regular basis and explore how gardening could serve as that release for you. If you’re wanting some guidance on how to get started, check out resources available through the local agencies listed in the Education and Advocacy section of the Directory on pages 11-13. You can also explore the American Horticultural Therapy Association website at https://www.ahta.org to find more helpful information. Whether you consider yourself to be novice or wellseasoned when it comes to gardening, reach into the earth, plant your seeds of wellness, and watch them take root.

References

Elmer, J. Medically Reviewed By Legg, T.J. 2019. How Gardening Helps My Anxiety and 4 Steps to Get Started.

Healthline.

Paddock, C. 2007. Soil Bacteria Work in Similar Way to Antidepressants.

Medical News Today.

44 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

r o f n g o n i i n t e a d g i Gar t i 9 1 M D I s s V O C re t g S in r u D

by Dominic Dominguez

The uncertainties involving the Coronavirus pandemic can be stressful for individuals and communities. Common public health narratives describe that social distancing is necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-

environment as a discipline known as

19. Although beneficial for reduced

sociohorticulture. Dr. Novak details the

transmission opportunities, this practice can

impact of this relationship as the

contribute to feelings of isolation and

“restorative value of nature," describing

loneliness, furthering the progression of

how nature aids in relaxation and stress

anxiety and stress in people. Managing the

reduction by reducing mental fatigue.

acute stressors associated with COVID-19

Gardens and nature are convenient,

may mitigate the development of more

restorative aids in stress reduction for

serious chronic traumas. Further, healthy

individuals and communities.

coping strengthens the well-being of you, your loved ones, and your community. Amid

Social Relevance - As the stress implications

this pandemic, individuals have turned to

of COVID-19 continue to develop, the

community and at-home gardens to

importance of outdoor space may help

cultivate health and wellness. This practice

alleviate the negative impacts of stress.

employs open-air ventilation and readily

Ecosystem services obtain many benefits to

available space where participants may

include supporting, provisioning, regulating,

engage in social interactions with their

and cultural services. As a social benefit,

community while maintaining socially distant

the United States Department of

behaviors. These garden spaces are shown

Agriculture describes that the cultural

to provide ecosystem services to humans.

services associated with the cultivation of green spaces aide individuals in developing

The United States Department of

a sense of spirituality, religious place,

Agriculture defines ecosystem services as

recreation, aesthetics, inspiration, provides

"the direct and indirect benefits that

educational use, and contributes to cultural

ecosystems provide humans." Ecosystem

heritage. These implications can result in

services and their many benefits contribute

the growth of identity and culture which are

to the growth of spirituality, recreation,

key factors of human-centered design.

aesthetics, education, culture,

and overall

wellbeing. Dr. Joseph Novak, Professor at

Economic Relevance - In the 2016 study, The

Texas A&M University, describes the innate

Economic Cost Of Mental Disorders,

relationship between people and the

Trautmann et al estimate that in 2010 the

global direct and indirect economic costs of

The review from the 7-question survey,

mental disorders were 2.5 trillion dollars.

completed by 151 individuals between

This equates to the direct cost of mental

October 15 - December 7th, 2020,

health services being $0.8 trillion dollars and

concluded the following results

the indirect costs being $1.7 trillion dollars.

98% of all individuals gardened in some form

The authors detail that both direct and

67% of individuals gardened at-home only

indirect costs of mental disorders are projected to double by 2030. This

When combined, 84% of individuals strongly agree and agree that COVID-19 is stressful for them.

assessment by Trautmann et al was When combined, 96% of individuals strongly

conducted prior to COVID-19. One can assume that these projected figures could be

agree and agree that COVID-19 is stressful for people.

amplified when factoring in the coronavirus

When combined, 97% of individuals strongly

disease and its impact on mental and

agree and agree that gardening during

physical wellness. Not only does mental

COVID-19 helps reduce their negative stress

illness cause tremendous economic cost, but

levels.

it also creates productivity loss for substantial economic growth.

When combined, 98% of individuals strongly agree and agree that gardening during COVID-19 helps them develop a positive sense of mental health.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell reports that one-third of US workers have

When combined, 92% of individuals strongly agree and agree that gardening during

high-stress levels. This can burden

COVID-19 helps them develop a positive

employers in the form of rising absenteeism,

sense of physical health.

low worker productivity, and increased

When combined, 82% of individuals strongly

health care costs, equating to more than

agree and agree that gardening during

300 billion dollars a year in costs. The National Institute for Occupational Safety

COVID-19 helps them develop a positive sense of social well-being.

and Health wrote in the Stress At Work Booklet that “job stress is the source of

COVID-19 challenges the social resiliency of

more health complaints than financial or

individuals around the world, testing our

family problems.” In The Health Benefits of

overall well-being. As of March 2021, John

Small Parks and Green Spaces, noted

Hopkins University’s Center for System

research social scientist Dr. Kathleen Wolf

Science and Engineering reports 115 million

describes that “the experience of nature is

global cases and 2.5 million global deaths.

one antidote to stress, and the body’s

These challenges can amplify stress factors

positive response is remarkably fast,

on communities. To slow the transmission of

occurring within minutes. Studies by

COVID-19, the center health officials

environmental psychologists show that

recommend a stay-at-home order and the

visual exposure to nature, in the form of

increased practice of social distancing. As

trees, grass, and flowers, can effectively

important as these recommendations are,

reduce stress, particularly if initial stress

stress factors, if not addressed in a healthy

levels are high.”

manner, can translate into chronic traumas.

Gardening is one of the many ways to work

To explore the possible relationship between

through the stresses of the pandemic.

gardening and stress mitigation during the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked with Dr. Owen

For more information please contact:

Lynch of Southern Methodist University and

Dominic Dominguez, Chief Operating Officer

a survey design team to formulate and

MA in Sustainability & Development

distribute a 7-question survey.

ddominguez@gardopiagardens.org

CULTIVATE TIPS AND TRICKS

A Beginner's Guide to Happy City Chicks

By Pamela Harvey

Now, more than ever, people are realizing

Antonians may have up to eight chickens in

the importance of owning the production of

their yard, but only one of them may be a

their food supply. Along with planting

rooster. Additionally, chickens are generally

seasonal gardens, keeping a flock of

not welcome in HOA communities. This

chickens in your yard is a great way to

means that chickens won’t be an option for

ensure that you have access to fresh eggs

every yard. If this is the case, reach out to

for most of the year. Read on to find out

your community and see who else is

what you need to know to keep chickens in

chicken curious. You might just find a

your own backyard!

neighbor who is willing to share their space in exchange for eggs.

Check Your Local Regulations Keep Your Birds Safe While chickens are allowed in many residential areas, the first step is always

Chickens need a safe, covered area to

checking your city ordinances. If chickens

protect them from predators. Common

are allowed, be sure to read and follow all

chicken foes include hawks, owls, coyotes,

city guidelines carefully. For example, San

opossums, raccoons, and loose dogs. When planning your setup, it’s important to think about both the coop and the run. Make sure that your run is covered on all sides, including above and below. Many people use a curtain technique on the sides of their run, meaning they fold or bury a foot of hardware cloth under the sides of it to keep animals from burrowing under. Coops in Texas need plenty of ventilation to keep birds cool at night. Cover windows with hardware cloth to keep predators out.

When the temperature does dip below freezing, cover windows with plastic or feed sacks to ensure your birds are warm and cozy.

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 47

Keep Your Birds Comfortable

Finally, clean the coop regularly to keep away mites and smells. Put the shavings

Your chicken run is where your birds will

and chicken droppings into your compost

spend most of their day. Give them plenty

heap.

of space to keep them happy and active.

Your coop should have at least 3 cubic feet

What to feed them

for each bird. If you have three birds, aim The feed store can be overwhelming with options, but all you need to start is a bag of layer feed. It’s up to you how fancy you want to get, and many people prefer to feed their chickens organic grain. Throwing layer feed in the run daily or filling up a hanging container will provide most of the nutrients that your chickens need, but for the healthiest birds, you’ll want to add in some additional nutrients.

Oyster Shell provides calcium, which is important for laying hens. It gives them better bone density and ensures that their eggs are stronger so you don’t find broken shells in your coop. Chickens should have this item year round. If you don’t provide this, expect to find broken eggs from your chickens seeking to fulfill this need on their own.

Grit helps your chickens digest their food. It looks like tiny pebbles. Feed this in small for at least 9 cubic feet. Your coop will also

amounts to keep your chickens’ plumbing

need a few nesting boxes where your birds

functioning properly.

will lay eggs. One box for every 2 or 3 chickens is fine. You can build these directly

Table scraps diversify your birds’ diets and

into your coop or use a box such as a

keep them happy and curious. In general,

milkcrate turned on its side.

most fruits and vegetables are fine, as are breads, oats, and pasta. Keep away from

Layer the bottom of the coop and the

processed foods, added sugars, oils, meats,

nesting boxes with bedding. Most people

and cheeses. Chickens will eat almost

use pine shavings or fresh straw.

You can also throw these in the run to give your chickens something to dig through.

Add in one or two places inside the coop for your chickens to roost, and they’ll be happy as can be!

48 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

anything, but there are certain foods they should avoid, such as raw onions. When in doubt, a quick Google search will let you know what is off limits.

Finally, chickens always need fresh water, but they have a tendency to knock over bowls or stand in them. Provide your birds with a hanging water dispenser so they stay hydrated at all times.

Get Your Neighbors Involved

There is nothing that brings people together quite like the gift of fresh eggs. As soon as

This serves two purposes. First, your

your chickens start producing, take a few

neighbors see the immediate benefit of

eggs to your immediate neighbors as a gift.

your new pets instead of thinking about the perceived negatives, and secondly, you can build your relationship with your neighbors and gauge their enthusiasm for fresh eggs.

You will come to count on these people to provide basic maintenance and feeding if you ever leave town. By providing them with eggs a few times, it will be much easier to ask them for help when you need it.

Enjoy Your New Pets

Chickens provide food to you and your family, but they can also provide entertainment and companionship. Chicken maintenance can seem daunting at first, but it’s really quite simple. Follow these tips to keep your chickens happy, and you could end up with a flock who comes running to say hello each time you open the back door!

Sources Raising Chickens 101: How to get Started: A Beginner's Guide to Raising Chickens.

2020. The Old Farmer's Almanac Martinez, Amanda. "San Antonio Approves 'Progressive' Chicken Laws." 2017. Kens 5 News.

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 49

Beautifully Fulfilling: Designing a Garden of Form and Function

By Jeremy Batsche

@sanantoniogardening When I first found my interest in gardening, I was under the impression you are supposed to have a beautiful garden or a functional garden. Or, in other words, you're supposed to keep your ornamental garden separate from your fruit or vegetable garden. There was a choice: either grow plants for their beauty, or you grow plants for their food. I thought I had a choice to make, and that I had to decide where to hide my fruit and vegetable garden that was out of the way and didn’t distract from the beauty of my ornamental garden. The trouble was I have a terribly small lot. But having such a small canvas grew me outside of my gardening comfort zone. I learned how to create a space that incorporated both beauty and function. When I began my gardening journey, I didn't know many people a garden of both beauty and function. emphasizing the importance of both, and I Beauty experienced through sight is short still do not see it very often. But now that I sighted. Beauty encountered in the garden is know it is possible to incorporate both, I am a multidimensional. It incorporates not just firm believer and avid advocate of designing sight but taste, smell, sound, and touch.

Beauty encountered in the garden does not simply invite you, it beckons. I quickly realized I was not going to be able to keep my ornamental and edible gardens separate, I simply did not have the space. So, rather than separating areas of design and function, I became determined to make sure they worked together, creating a beautiful and productive space. True horticulture became the goal. Horticulture is defined as the art of garden cultivation and management. Through this process I have learned that the following elements directly influence how horticulture is achieved as a garden apart from just

50 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

another landscape:

garden may look very different from yours, and that okay; not everyone wants a mini

A garden is FUNCTIONAL

citrus grove. Thoughtfully placed fruit and

A garden creatively uses its SPACE

vegetable plants are not just productive, they

A garden has FLOW

are also beautiful and can be used as ornamentals as well.

When you implement these three elements, you get a garden that serves you well. It invites you to participate, so engaging in your garden becomes a joyful interaction rather than another chore.

A Garden is Functional

When planning your garden, an excellent place to start is to think about your wants and needs. How do you want your garden to serve you? By designing a space that meets your desires and needs, you create it to be functional. One example of how a garden could serve you is making it visually pleasing.

But don’t stop there because a garden involves more than just your sense of sight.

It also involves your sense of smell, touch, sound, and the most important, in my opinion, your sense of taste. When you design your garden you have an opportunity to consider all of your senses. A functional garden is not just what looks good, but also what allows you to contemplate the sound of the wind swaying the bamboo, the scent of lemon blossoms in early spring. So, ask yourself, what can you incorporate in your garden that would bring you joy? For me, it's the ability to pick fresh fruit off our several fruit trees with

A Garden Creatively Uses Its Space

my kids. It provides a peaceful place to sit with a cup of coffee overlooking different

Next is understanding the space you have to

textures and shades of green with flowers

work with to create this beautifully

being pollinated by the bees and butterflies—

productive landscape. You've got to know

the sound of the tall bamboo swaying in the

what you're working with and adapt to that.

background and the smell of citrus and

There are limitations to certain areas and

jasmine blooms. A functional garden is

certain plants. I've seen people try to install a

sustainable and low maintenance, creating

cactus garden on a north-facing side of the

good food for the family while having the

house under a huge shade tree. It is worth

ability to renew itself. It has pathways to

taking the time to understand your north

lead you where you need to go and fits into

from south, east from west. Know where

your daily routine. My wants and needs in a

your sun is, and know where your shade is.

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 51

What happens when it rains? Do you have

do you want to create a heightened sense of

an issue with mud? Where are the most

interest and guide the direction and path

frequently traveled routes in your front,

your feet will take? With the proper use of

back, and side yard? Some things are not

privacy screens and evergreen hedges, you

worth fighting. Instead of struggling to make

can direct the eye upon an intended focal

something work, create solutions to solve the

point. Being in a garden is an immersive

issue. Solving these issues upfront helps to

experience; flow directs your focus and

create a layout. Locate these trouble areas

protects you from unwanted interruptions.

and think creatively. In some cases, these

For example, when I walk out my backdoor,

challenging spots in your garden are great

I'd prefer not to see into my neighbor’s

places to install hardscapes. So rather than

bathroom window. Instead, I have a trellised

placing grass underneath a shady path,

passion fruit vine which is a living privacy

maybe this could be a great spot for a gravel

screen that provides beautiful flowers and

walkway with a tree swing or a patio to sip

delicious fruit. Flow is not limited to blocking

your morning coffee. Once you know where

unwanted sights but also considers desired

you want and need hardscapes you can fill in

views such as a birdbath, ornamental tree,

the rest with your garden beds. This will

downtown view, or an architectural feature

allow your garden to naturally take shape.

of your house you'd like to highlight. Either

Hardscapes both make a space functional

way it is important to consider where you

and are a design element that enhances the

want to direct the eye to achieve this kind of

beauty of your garden and the way you

experience. A good balance between

experience it. They create contrast, help

hardscape and plant life, and some careful

guide your eye, create a heightened sense of

thought, will help you establish this sense of

interest and interaction and, quite literally,

flow.

guide the direction and path your feet take, which leads us into flow.

Before you install your garden it is important to have an idea of how you want it to

A Garden has Flow

function, to understand the space you're working with, and to visualize the flow of

Flow is about where you want to direct the

how your garden will take shape. Sometimes

eye and draw people in to allow for an

it takes a while to gather an understanding

immersive experience that is uninterrupted

of these three things, and even if you know

by unwanted distractions. So, ask yourself

exactly what you want, time and money

where is it you want to draw focus? Where

determine how you get there. Putting in a temporary vegetable garden bed or using pots to keep plants may be necessary until you’re ready to invest in an overall plan.

Building hardscapes and planning beds can be done in stages, and this has been my personal approach to my garden. I began with some of the key staples like my pathways and fruit trees. From there I've been able to get closer and closer to the overall vision and plan I have created for my outdoor living space. Having a plan will help set you up to create a garden both beautiful and fulfilling.

52 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

Growing and Blending your own Herbal Teas

by Jade Luu

Herbs are often the first choice of

improves sleep and relaxation, and

plants for the garden because they

reduces stress.

are the easiest to grow. A popular choice for new and experienced

Peppermint contains menthol, which

gardeners alike, herbs are most

can soothe an upset stomach and

commonly used in culinary recipes.

serve as a cure for constipation,

My favorite way to use herbs,

irritable bowel syndrome and motion

however, is to grow them to drink as

sickness. This tea variety also offers

herbal teas.

pain relief from tension headaches and migraines.

Herbal drinks are not technically “teas” because they are caffeine free

Ginger helps to fight against morning

and do not come from a proper tea

sickness, can be used to treat

plant such as Camellia Sinensis.

chronic indigestion, and helps to

Herbal tisanes is the name for what

relieve joint pain caused by

many people call herbal teas. These

osteoarthritis.

comforting drinks are made by boiling water over fresh or dried leaves,

Hibiscus lowers blood pressure and

stems, flowers, seeds, or roots of an

fat levels, improves overall liver

herbal plant to release the natural

health, can stave off cravings for

nutritional elements.

unhealthy sweets, and may prevent the formation of kidney stones.

There are many types of herbal tisanes, each with their unique

It’s easy to get started growing,

properties and nutritional and health

harvesting, and storing various herbs

benefits. Below are some of the most

for consumption as teas, and there

popular types:

are different ways to store your herbs. My personal favorite way to

Chamomile tea helps to reduce

store and use them is directly on my

menstrual pain and muscle spasms,

kitchen counter in a beautiful

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 53

bouquet. Once my herbs have been

together to make a dried bouquet.

gathered, I assemble them into a bouquet for a lovely centerpiece that

Step 3: Keep your herbal bouquet in

I can easily access and keep over

a basket, crock, or vase on the

time. Here are some tips on how you

kitchen counter.

can grow and make your own herbal tea bouquet:

When you want to make a hot herbal drink, simply snip off a few of the

Step 1: Simply plant your favorite

flowers, stems, or leaves from your

herbs from a trusted local nursery in

bouquet, drop them in a cup of

moderate to full sunlight. Some

boiling water, and steep until you

herbs that work great for tea include

begin to notice the aromatic release

mint, thyme, fennel, rosemary,

of fragrance in the air. Strain your

lavender, Calendula, or lemongrass.

herbal concoction into a separate cup, or enjoy your tea straight from your cup with herbal flowers, leaves,

Step 2: Harvest, wash, and hang dry

stems, or roots unstrained.

upside down for a few days, gathering the branches in bunches

With a kettle on the range or an

and tying the ends together in a

electric hot water heater nearby, a

rubber band (the rubber band will

steaming hot cup of your own blend

contract and keep the bundle secure

of nutritional and therapeutic herbal

as the herbs dry). Once the stems

tea is never more than a few minutes

and branches are dried, gather a

away!

variety of herb stems or bundles

54 | Spring 2021 | Cultivate SA

In September 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres will convene a Food Systems Summit as part of the Decade of Action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Summit will launch bold new actions to deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems.

On a local level, the City of San Antonio will be convening an Independent Food Systems Summit Dialogue this spring, bringing together stakeholders from throughout the community to provide an opportunity to create ideas, solutions, partnerships, and action plans.

For more information or to get involved visit www.sacityofgastronomy.org

Thanks to our 2020 - 2021 Sponsors & Grantors Air ($10,000+)

Sun ($6,500)

Water ($2,500)

Seed ($1,000)

Soil ($500)

Cultivate SA | Spring 2021 | 57