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