Kapwa Gardens

Meet Cristine Blanco @cblanco, one of our finalists for the Mural Residency, a public art program in collaboration with our partner, @kapwagardens! Born and raised in the Bay Area, Cristine Blanco is an interdisciplinary artist who works in sculpture, video and installation. Learn more about Cristine: balaykreative.com/stories-content/cristine-blanco

The work week has just started, but mentally I’m enjoying a calamansi cooler from @ladyvictorysf at Kapwa Gardens.

Thank you all who came out to celebrate the opening of Kapwa Gardens! We’re open to the public starting this Wednesday, April 14th. Link in bio for event inquiries.

Volunteer reception today! Join @_.sarahkoh._ for free yoga today at 1:3pm. Snacks donated by @traderjoes. Food and drink available for purchase by @loveburnchicken and @monarchsf. Must RSVP. Link in bio.

Jonathan Mercado performs Sagayan during one of this weekends opening receptions!

Kapwa Gardens will be open to the public starting next week Wednesday, April 14th! Enjoy a peaceful stroll or take a meditation break. Smell the fresh aroma of the calamansi blossoms. We will continue to implement COVID-19 safety measures. If you’re interested in hosting an event or class at our garden, please email us. Email is in the bio.

Join us at the garden today from 10am to 4pm for our very first COVID Test and Stretch! We’ll have free yoga taught by Filipinx Yoga Instructor and @kapwayogacircle member Rachelle Banares! Please bring your own mat. I have come to find the healing magic of yoga through consistent practice. This experience led me to be a yoga teacher with hopes to one day inspire the Filipino and other underrepresented communities to try this powerful practice. In Kapwa (togetherness) I want to change that hope into action and serve as a guide to the larger community. ~ Rachelle Banares

Join us at @KapwaGardens for COVID testing and yoga! Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, get tested at our new outdoor health and wellness garden in the heart of @SOMAPilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District. No appointments or ID needed!

Garden Tip #4 Prune dead leaves. Pruning dead leaves encourages plant growth,... makes photosynthesis more efficient, and prevents plant rot by removing decaying Make sure to use clean, rust-free pruning shears!

Thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who helped with the buildout of Kapwa Gardens. Now we want to celebrate you! All volunteers are invited to join us onsite next Sunday, April 11th from 1-4pm for music and fun. Please RSVP, so we can safely monitor entry. RSVP at kapwagardens.com/events/volunteer-reception

Garden Tip #2 Add 2-3 inches of mulch over the top of planting soil. Mulch helps suppress weeds,... slows soil compaction over time for effective saturation, and can be a beautiful decorative feature. Chose from a variety of materials, from wood chip to gravel, just make sure it is food safe if you are growing fruits and veggies!

DIY idea! Upcycle an indoor planter. Step #1 Start by making sure the planter can handle some weathering from the sun and rain. The UV from the sun can strip our color, while rain can wash away the finish. Step #2 Then make sure the planter can drain by creating a drain hole.... Step #3 Place a few inches of drain rock at the bottom to prevent root rot from ponding water. Step #4 Add the plant of your choice and have fun with it!