Calendar


Jun
18
Tue
2019
Third Annual Garden Tour @ Brown Kitty Farms
Jun 18 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Please join us for Alameda Backyard Growers’ Third Annual Garden Tour. This year, we focus on food production. Margie Siegal has made her large yard into a mini-farm. She raises fruit trees, herbs and lots of different vegetables. Margie will show us the innovative techniques she’s used to solve some gardening challenges, and tell us about what didn’t work. We’ll also focus on her tricks for successfully growing the heat-loving vegetables that can be difficult in Alameda, including melons and eggplant.

About the farm: Caution: Most paths are grass, and the ground is uneven. People with mobility difficulties may not be able to access most areas. Please wear low heeled shoes with good soles. The resident feral cat, who controls rodents in the back yard, is terrified of dogs. Please do not bring your dog.

About the gardener: Margie has been gardening for years, mostly learning through making mistakes and reading books. She finds gardening relaxing and enjoys the low stress manual labor.

Because of the size of the garden, attendance is limited to 25 people. Preregistration is required.

If the event is already full when you try to sign up, please email info@alamedabackyardgrowers.org to be put on the waiting list.

Jul
13
Sat
2019
Volunteer Work Party at Ploughshares @ Ploughshares Nursery
Jul 13 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

DATE: Saturday, July 13
LOCATION: Ploughshares Nursery, 2701 Main St, Alameda, CA 94501

Join us to learn more about Ploughshares Nursery and help Jeff Bridge and his team with fun projects!

Help Ploughshares weed out and plant the propagation area, transplant fruit trees and seed native plants for next year’s sales. Bring work gloves and clippers, it’s going to be fun!

Directions: From Webster Street, turn West onto Willie Stargell Ave. or Atlantic Avenue (Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway). Turn Right onto Main Street. Ploughshares is across the street from Svendsen’s/Bay Ship and Yacht.

Ploughshares Nursery

Jan
13
Mon
2020
Film – Symphony of the Soil @ Rhythmix Cultural Works
Jan 13 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

On Monday, January 13, ABG will present a movie night at Rhythmix, 2513 Blanding Ave. in the city of Alameda , co-hosted by StopWaste! Free popcorn!

Please bring your own container for water to reduce waste.

Trevor Probert of StopWaste will lead a Carbon Farming discussion after the movie.

Our movie, ‘Symphony of the Soil‘ is an artistic exploration of the miraculous “living skin of the earth.” By understanding the elaborate relationships between soil, water, the atmosphere, plants and animals, we come to appreciate the complex and dynamic nature of this precious resource. The film examines our human relationship with soil, the use and misuse of soil in agriculture, deforestation and development, and the latest scientific research on soil’s key role in ameliorating the most challenging environmental problems of our time, including climate change. Filmed on four continents and featuring esteemed scientists and working farmers and ranchers, Symphony of the Soil is an intriguing presentation that highlights possibilities of healthy soil creating healthy plants creating healthy humans living on a healthy planet.

Trevor-Probert-StopWaste

Trevor Probert is a Program Services Specialist at StopWaste and resident of Alameda.

Trevor Probert is a Program Services Specialist at StopWaste and resident of Alameda. He teaches StopWaste’s public workshops on composting, gardening for soil health, and carbon farming. Trevor works with urban farms and community gardens to set up on-site composting systems. He has worked as an elementary school garden teacher, classroom teacher, and landscape contractor, and has bachelor degrees in Geography and Environmental Science and a master’s degree in Education.

Feb
8
Sat
2020
Project Tree Workshop @ Rhythmix Cultural Works
Feb 8 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Following on its 2019 success, Project Tree announces the return of its Tree Care Workshop and $25 off Tree Coupon Program.

This year’s workshops will be held Saturday, February 8 from 10 AM to 12 Noon and Sunday, March 1 from 2 PM to 4 PM at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda.

While anyone is welcome to attend this workshop, only residents of the City of Alameda with proof of residence may receive the coupon, which is worth $25 off any tree from Encinal Nursery, 2057 Encinal Avenue, or Ploughshares Nursery, 2701 Main Street in Alameda Point. The coupon will be redeemable from the day of receipt at the workshop until June 30, 2020.

Project Tree is a partnership between The Alameda Sun and Alameda Backyard Growers.

Mar
1
Sun
2020
Project Tree Workshop @ Rhythmix Cultural Works
Mar 1 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Following on its 2019 success, Project Tree announces the return of its Tree Care Workshop and $25 off Tree Coupon Program.

This year’s workshops will be held Saturday, February 8 from 10 AM to 12 Noon and Sunday, March 1 from 2 PM to 4 PM at Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda.

While anyone is welcome to attend this workshop, only residents of the City of Alameda with proof of residence may receive the coupon, which is worth $25 off any tree from Encinal Nursery, 2057 Encinal Avenue, or Ploughshares Nursery, 2701 Main Street in Alameda Point. The coupon will be redeemable from the day of receipt at the workshop until June 30, 2020.

Project Tree is a partnership between The Alameda Sun and Alameda Backyard Growers.

Apr
25
Sat
2020
ABG 2020 Earth Day Plant Sale
Apr 25 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

ABG Announces Our 2020 Earth Day (Spacial Distancing) Plant Sale!

10AM – 1PM Saturday April 25th. Location will be emailed to attendees.

Every year at Earth Day, we sell hundreds of tomato plants and people come back for them year after year. This year, with more gardeners and fewer seedlings, we have added basil, squash, cucumbers and a few greens to the mix, moved the sale to a private residence and added spacial distancing in the form of time slots to keep the crowds down. But we still have our wonderful tomato plants and other veggies to get you through the summer!

How it Works:

1) Click on this Eventbrite link and select a time slot. The earliest slots will have the best selection, so fill those first. We will email you the location when you sign up.

2) Send one (healthy) person per household, wash hands first and wear a mask.

3) Check out the LIST OF PLANTS we have available and note what you want (with second choices), so you can just pick them up and pay when you get to the sale. (Note: there are limits on how many of each plant you can buy so everyone can have some.)

4) Bring either exact change or a check made out to Alameda Backyard Growers along with a pen so you can fill in the final amount. Any cash you leave in excess of your plant total is a tax deductible contribution to ABG and we promise to use it wisely!

Oct
25
Sun
2020
ABG Plant Swap
Oct 25 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

October Plant Swap

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Alameda Backyard Growers is inviting you to a socially-distanced, outdoor plant swap.

Please arrive at 1pm.

  1. Masks must be worn and a distance of 6ft or more maintained.
  2. Everyone must use provided hand sanitizer prior to entering the plant swap area.
  3. Attendees must bring at least one plant to donate to the swap.
  4. Make sure plants are clearly labeled. Plants should be in good health and in healthy soil, to minimize the possible spread of garden pathogens.

The location for this event is in West Alameda and will be announced 48 hours prior via email reminder. Please be sure to register with a valid email address that you are able to check.

You may also bring other garden related items: books, magazines, tools (no broken tools), and seeds to place on our FREE table.

Tickets for this event are limited. Click here to register.

ABG October Plant Swap

Apr
20
Tue
2021
Build Healthy Soil by Sheet Mulching
Apr 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Lori Caldwell

Sheet mulching is an easy and efficient technique for saving water, recycling resources, suppressing weeds and building healthy soil. Please join Lori Caldwell as she discusses the steps for this process as well as her own tips and tricks for how to sheet mulch. Please bring all your questions!

Lori Caldwell is an Alameda County Master Composter, self taught edible gardener and residential sheet mulch maven. Her mission is to “connect people to the soil and all that it provides”. She has been happily teaching sustainable gardening classes and transforming yards in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2007.

Register on Eventbrite

Apr
25
Sun
2021
ABG’s 2nd Annual Socially Distanced Plant Sale
Apr 25 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Registration will begin in April and we will send the link in early April.

On April 25th, we will host our 2nd annual plant sale at a private residence featuring our “Alameda Famous Tomatoes”, 19 carefully curated varieties packed with flavor and designed to do well here in Alameda. We will also have a selection of Winter Squash, Zucchini, Cucumbers, Basil, Peppers and Loofas for sale. And we will have some pollinator friendly flowers available to help make your 2021 garden a great success.

Register here!

ABG Plant Sale

Jul
11
Sun
2021
Volunteer Work Party at Farm2Market @ Farm2Market
Jul 11 @ 9:00 am – 11:30 am

Join Alameda Backyard Growers as we work and learn at Farm2Market, one of our favorite Alameda places. Farm2Market (2600 Barbers Point Road) is a great place to learn innovative and sustainable techniques for growing fruit and vegetables. Lots of different tasks will be available – at least one should fit your interests and abilities! Have fun, gain some gardening know how and enjoy the company of other food growers while helping out a valuable Alameda non-profit.

Farm2Market is a small, diversified working urban farm and a social enterprise of Alameda Point Collaborative. The farm employs APC residents to work with staff and volunteers to produce delicious, nutritious fruits and veggies, raw honey and beautiful flowers. Proceeds from its Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership program are used to help sustain APC’s supportive housing community.

COVID precautions: If you are fully vaccinated, you are not required to wear a mask. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must wear a mask whenever you are within six feet of another person.

Bring along your garden gloves, water bottle, sunscreen, your favorite hand tools, and whatever else you’d like to make your gardening work comfortable – knee pad, stool, kneeler, etc. Be sure to wear sturdy closed toe shoes!

Volunteers will help weed, sheet mulch, weed whack, compost, etc. After the work party tours of the farm and neighboring MakerFarm will be available.

After you get your ticket, we’ll contact you so you can sign the APC waiver, which is required in order for you to volunteer at this work party.

Questions? Email info@alamedabackyardgrowers.org and put WORK PARTY in the subject of your email.

Farm2Market Work Party