March 2024
Is it Spring Yet?
From Elaine, President of LEAF
Is it spring yet? Our beat up greenhouse sure hopes so because the weather this past year has been really tough on it. Last winter a windstorm blew off the entire roof. Then, this winter after it was painstakingly moved in ONE piece from Stone Garden to the Urban Garden, the atmospheric rainstorm with hurricane force winds not only blew the structure down but twisted some of the metal arches in the process. That's when we came up with the nickname, Pretzel, for the greenhouse. We are now in the process of uprighting and unbending the structure.
Is it spring yet? The answer to that question is important to gardeners. If the answer is YES, then we can begin to sow and propagate seeds for our spring planting ; )
Pictures: Gardeners preparing soil media for seed propagation (left), attaching hardware cloth to the bottom of the planter to block those annoying gophers from eating the plant roots (above middle). Sown seeds are protected by a Agribon row cover that prohibits insects, birds and frost from damaging the leaves yet at the same time allows sunlight, air and water to pass through (above right).
Please hit the donate button if you feel aligned with our mission so we can continue to develop spaces
to educate our community, build healthy soil, and provide food for those most in need.
Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated.
We also accept checks. Payable to LEAF at PO Box 2816, Fremont CA 94536.
LEAF Center Planters
Planters are available to rent at the LEAF Center. The raised planters are 4' x 12', filled with customized soil and equipped with automatic irrigation systems. These planters are available through our annual Community Gardener Membership, which includes year-long access to a wonderful gardening experience! Got questions? We've got answers at info@fremontleaf.org.
Students for LEAF 2024
Students for LEAF, will be in full swing once again this summer for young people who are interested in being outdoors, gardening, the sciences, and living sustainably on planet earth. LEAF educators will provide students hands-on experience being environmental stewards in areas such as the food cycle, composting worms and beekeeping. Check out this summer's Students for LEAF program details at
fremontleaf.org/students
Special Thanks
Ava Community Energy and Renee's Garden
We want to thank Ava Community Energy for their generous funding that will support our Students for LEAF summer program and play a vital role in shaping the next generation of environmental stewards. We also thank Renee's Garden for donating seeds, which allow us to cultivate vibrant, sustainable gardens that benefit our community. Together, your support and generosity significantly contribute to our efforts to promote environmental education and regenerative gardening.
2024 LEAF Earth Day
LEAF will be in full force at the City of Fremont Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 20 from 11am to 3pm at the Fremont Downtown Event Center. Our 20 booths will focus on environmental sustainability with an emphasis on gardening and composting. Of course, we will be bringing the crowd favorites, our buzzing bees and friendly worms. Mark your calendars. See you there!
Food Donations
At LEAF, we work year-round to feed our community by planting, nurturing, and harvesting fresh produce that we donate to our local food banks.
​
YTD Produce Donations: 473 lbs.
Our 2024 Goal is 4500 lbs.
You can help us meet the goal by harvesting your fruit and dropping it off at LEAF Stone Garden. See info below under Fruit Tree Gleaning.
Fruit Tree Gleaning
Every Monday and Thursday from 9am to 10:30am, you can bring donations of fresh fruit from your trees to LEAF Stone Garden. Your donations will be added to the volumes of produce we grow and deliver to our food banks to help out our friends and neighbors. More info at fremontleaf.org/glean.
​
Fresh imperfect fruit is good!
​
Thanks for your donations of 377 pounds of fruit so far this year!
Got questions? We've got answers at info@fremontleaf.org.
LEAF Stone Garden is located behind
Mission Valley Veterinary Clinic at 55 Mowry Ave near Mission Blvd.
LEAF Honey Sales
Our LEAF Bees were busily buzzing last summer which means we have jars of honey for sale. Honey sales fund the care of the bees, their hives and our pollinator gardens. Honey is $24 for a 24 oz jar. Purchase at our LEAF Shop.
Lazy Saturdays?
Get BUSY as a LEAF volunteer! On the 2nd Saturday of every month from
9am to noon, your help is needed to tackle projects that benefit
from a group effort. Be a part of a community helping a community.
More info at fremontleaf.org/volunteer.
​
Our next volunteer work days are: SATURDAY MAR 9TH and APR 13th
.png)
Gathering, Gardening
It's tough to find knowledgable gardeners to ask questions. Talkin' Dirt will
provide you with a platform to engage with others from the comfort of your own home on the first Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 8pm. Join Master Gardeners and a Horticulturist for this special hour-long online gathering.
Regardless of your gardening experience, we'd love to have you!
To register, visit fremontleaf.org/talkindirt.
Our next online gatherings are: WEDNESDAY MAR 6TH and APR 3RD