May 20, 2025

Hey Garden Friends! 
Yes, the desert heat has arrived—but so has our summer spirit! While the temps rise, so does the energy at Ahwatukee Community Garden, and we’re not slowing down one bit. In fact, we’ll be open and thriving all summer long!  So whether you’re a seasoned gardener, compost-curious, or just looking for something refreshing to do, we’ve got something for you!
We’re especially excited to announce some cool summer workshops coming your way! 
 Join us for a Foraging Day with Cactus Kelly,
 Learn cooling breath techniques with a certified yoga instructor,
 Explore medicinal herbs to beat the heat naturally—just to name a few!
 Keep your eye on our website and socials for all the workshop details and updates:
 Instagram: @ahwcomgarden
 Website: https://acgarden.weebly.com
If you have an idea for a workshop or a talent you would like to share- please let us know!  We love to learn new things and get community together. 
If you haven’t visited in a while, you’re in for a treat...
We’ve added 18 brand-new raised beds, each one a tiny powerhouse. These beds are more than just dirt and dreams—they’re living ecosystems complete with in-bed worm bins!  These bins turn your food scraps into super-soil right inside the raised bed, helping our plants grow stronger while cutting down on waste. Plus, we've installed solar-powered sonic devices to keep the sneaky snackers (ahem, critters) away without harming any of our desert neighbors.   A big THANK YOU to the ABM crew for all of your hard work helping us get the new raised beds installed with the waterlnes and tons of dirt and compost! You guys are the best and the entire community appreciates you all! 
 On the east side, the garden planted five weeks ago is bursting with cucumbers curling gracefully over the trellises like little green gymnasts.
 To the west, seeds planted just two weeks ago are already poking their heads up—getting ready for what we think will be one of our biggest harvests yet!
 And in the west orchard? Three additional beds are producing loads of fresh food, and we’re just getting started.
 Oh, and here's a game-changer for summer: we've added shade cloth over the entire main garden area! This not only protects our plants and helps them thrive through the intense heat, but also keeps us gardeners cooler and safer from the harsh Arizona sun. 
But wait, there’s more (and it’s soil-fully satisfying)…

 Let’s Talk Compost!
Our community compost program is going strong—thanks to YOU! We’ve now collected nearly 6,000 lbs of veganic food scraps, turning them into rich compost that feeds our garden beds instead of rotting in landfills.  That’s nearly 2.4 metric tons of CO₂ emissions prevented—the equivalent of charging 300,000 smartphones or planting 40 trees! 
Want to join in? It’s easy! Pick up a FREE collection bucket at the garden and bring it back on Sunday mornings by 8:45 AM. Volunteers process the food scraps into our compost piles between 7–9 AM. To keep the park and garden clean, safe, and pest-free—and to avoid bucket blow-ups in the heat--please only drop off on Sunday mornings during those hours.
 YES, PLEASE! (veganic only):

• Fruit & veggie scraps 
  
• Coffee grounds & filters 
  
• Tea bags (no staples) 
  
• Crushed eggshells 
  
• Plant trimmings & dead flowers 
  
• Shredded paper, paper towels, and napkins (unbleached & food-soiled only) 
  

 NO, THANK YOU:

• Meat, dairy, or bones 
  
• Oily or greasy food scraps 
  
• Plastic, metal, glass 
  
• Pet waste or litter 
  
• Citrus peels in large amounts 
  
• Baked goods or bread 
  
• Biodegradable plastics or compostable “green” bags 
  
• Corn cobs  (too woody and slow to break down)
  
• Avocado seeds & peels  (thick, tough, and take forever to decompose)
  

 Why not citrus? While small amounts are okay, large quantities of citrus peels (like orange or lemon rinds) can throw off the pH balance of our compost and break down slowly. They can also be too acidic for the worms and microbes that help create healthy compost. If you’re juicing or peeling citrus often, try to spread it out over time or skip it altogether.
Thank you for helping us nourish the soil and protect the planet and turn waste into wonder! 
 Calling All Creatives!
Got a knack for design or connections to a local sign company? We’d love your help bringing some educational magic to the garden!  We’re dreaming up a set of fun, informative signs that can teach visitors what we’re growing, how we’re growing it, and the cool techniques we use in our community demo garden—from worm-powered beds to trellised cucumbers climbing to the sky. If you’re a sign-making wizard (or know someone who is), let’s team up and make it happen! Whether you're a graphic designer, sign printer, or someone who loves creating beautiful, functional displays—we’d be thrilled to collaborate.  Drop us a message and let’s grow something great together! 
Whether you’re coming to volunteer, drop off compost, or just say hi, we invite you to stop by any Sunday morning from 7–9 AM. Volunteers always get first dibs on the harvest, and trust us—there’s nothing better than starting your day with sunshine, smiles, and fresh veggies. 
Plus, ACG is fully ADA accessible, with wide walkways, raised beds designed for all abilities, and two comfy ADA picnic tables perfect for relaxing in the shade after a morning of garden joy. 
Come dig in, meet your neighbors, boost your health, and help our planet—all before breakfast. 
See you Sunday?
With gratitude and green thumbs,
 The ACG Team
P.S. Don’t forget your hat and water bottle—we’ve got plenty of dirt, shade, and community waiting for you.