Blogs

Entryway Beautification Project – Under Construction

Tomato Tasting Contest We had a great turnout for our annual Tomato Tasting event on Saturday, August 8th. Thirteen of our gardeners brought their best tomatoes, and selecting First, Second, and Third Place winners was really difficult this year—they were all so good! Sin provided us all with a delicious salad made with fresh ingredients…

Late-Summer Harvest & Planting for Fall Hello Gardeners, I hope you are enjoying a successful Summer planting season. As I walked around the garden today, I noticed an abundance of produce thriving throughout our garden community. Many of you have asked what to plant in the Fall. Our own Mary Church has several articles posted on our…

If this season has felt a little unpredictable, you’re not alone. Here in Southern California, we’ve had stretches of unexpected heat followed by cooler days that finally feel like early spring. For gardeners, that kind of swing can be confusing — and sometimes frustrating. March is all about adjusting. Your garden is shifting, your plants…

February is an underrated month in the garden. It’s not as busy as spring, not as abundant as summer—but it’s one of the most important times of the year at Las Flores Community Garden. What you do now quietly sets the stage for everything that comes next. Think of February as preparation month: tending, planning,…

November is a month of slowing down — shorter days, cooler nights, and a welcome pause after the buzz of summer planting. But at Las Flores Community Garden, this time of year gives us something even more meaningful: a chance to reflect on what the garden gives us, and what we give back. While the…

Fall is Here It may still feel like summer in Southern California, but fall is closer than we think—and in the garden, that means it’s time to plan. At Las Flores Community Garden, planting is not just encouraged, it’s required year-round. This ensures that every plot stays productive, beautiful, and aligned with the mission of our community:…

August is one of the most exciting (and sometimes overwhelming!) months in the garden. Our summer crops are at their peak—tomatoes are blushing on the vine, zucchini is growing faster than we can cook it, and peppers, beans, and melons are filling baskets everywhere. At the same time, it’s the perfect moment to start planning…

By now, your garden is bursting with tomatoes, squash, beans, and (if you’re lucky) a few cucumbers that didn’t bolt in the heat. July is peak season — but it’s also peak stress. For both gardeners and plants. As temperatures climb and the sun gets relentless, it’s time to shift from “planting” mode to protection…

Monarch Caterpillar and Butterfly The most amazing “before” and “after” ever: Monarch Caterpillar and Butterfly. Monarch Caterpillars exclusively eat milkweed (Asclepias) as their food source. It’s only plant that they can lay their eggs on and their caterpillars can feed on. Monarch caterpillars increase their weight 2,700 fold in less than two weeks. It takes…

Ah, June — the garden is buzzing, the sun is high, and your plots are (hopefully!) overflowing with the fruits of your labor. From the first juicy tomatoes to the unstoppable wave of zucchini, this is the season we wait for all year. But did you know that harvesting regularly is just as important as watering…