The UP Beet: January 2016 Urban Plantations News: 2015 In Review Urban Plantations installed a farm at a Qualcomm campus. Later additions included fruit trees and a full-scale herb bed garden. Today, fresh organic harvests supply the Qualcomm cafeterias. 2015 found us working with Catalina Offshore and Tender Greens Mission Valley to install herb boxes. We began working with many lovely new homeowners and organizations like the Seeds Scholars at San Diego Mesa College and the … [Read more...]

The UP Beet: December 2015 Urban Plantations News EXCITING NEWS: Urban Plantations is coming to Orange County! In 2016, we’ll be available for design, installation and maintenance of gardens in Orange County. Please pass on the word to your northerly friends. What's Fresh December finds us picking a plethora of vitamin-packed greens! Recent harvests include kale, lettuce, bok choi, arugula, spinach, mustard greens and chard. Our broccolis, peas and brussels sprouts … [Read more...]

The UP Beet: November 2015 Urban Plantations News Here is our highly-anticipated showcase video! It highlights the fruits of our labor and explains why what we do is important. See our beautiful, organic farms that sustainably feed restaurants and cafes. What's Fresh Farmers at UP are sowing the cool season crops: peas, carrots, cabbages, kales and lettuce. Expect epic salads in the upcoming months as we enjoy the mild San Diego winter. Also on our November … [Read more...]

↵ Back to Urban Plantation's "UP-Beet" Blog     Right at this very moment, about 40% of the U.S. food supply isn’t being eaten. Sound ridiculous? According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, Americans are not only wasting “the equivalent of $162 billion each year, but also about 25 percent of U.S. water supply and producing 33 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gases, all for food that never gets eaten.” It’s no wonder that food- and the incredible amount we … [Read more...]

The UP Beet: October 2015 Urban Plantations News UP is pleased to participate in the brand new Eureka! exhibit at the New Children's Museum in downtown San Diego! In celebration of California's agricultural prominence, we designed a new garden that highlights edible crops grown from northern to southern California "Along The 5," from Siskiyou to San Diego counties. Did you know California grows most of America's celery, garlic, artichoke, and peppers? The rest of Eureka! … [Read more...]

The UP Beet: September 2015 Urban Plantations News Mulching is our ace against late summer heat. Mulch can be comprised of peat, hay, wood chips, compost or grass clippings. Spread it generously over the soil and around the plants. Using less water is important, but so is effectively using the water we do use. Mulch helps with both. Here’s why we mulch: Blocks weeds. Weeds steal water from your plants. Prevents evaporation by covering the soil. Prevents soil … [Read more...]

The UP Beet: August 2015 Urban Plantations News We're happy to announce the completion of our newest farm on the Qualcomm campus! This location has about 10,000 sq ft of organic, plantable space featuring 40 raised beds, 47 fruit trees, and a rooftop herb garden. Corporate campus gardens promote employee health by growing fresh produce for cafeterias, reducing carbon emissions by eliminating transportation, and creating a space that can be both productive (built-in WiFi … [Read more...]

  ↵ Back to Urban Plantation's California Drought Resource Page   On July 15, 2025 the California Water Commission passed a new ordinance drastically altering the future of landscaping. The classic California dream of palm trees surrounded by a lush green lawn seems to be evaporating with our lakes, rivers, and dams. Beginning December 1, 2025 any new landscape installations over 500 square feet will be limited to about 25% turf, according to the Los Angeles Times. This … [Read more...]

  ↵ Back to Urban Plantation's California Drought Resource Page   According to the Public Policy Institute of California, this is the driest three-year stretch in the last 120 years of record keeping. One of the largest targets in California has been painted on the backs of homeowners with large lawns - and thus, the mad dash for alternatives has begun. "Water is integral to maintaining the San Diego lifestyle. Together, we must value water, use it more wisely and never … [Read more...]

The UP Beet: July 2015   Urban Plantations News Our latest project is an install at Catalina Offshore, a fish market in San Diego. We planted lush herbs in 4 boxes outside their entrance. After picking up fresh sculpin from fishmonger Tommy, you can pop outside and find several varieties of basil, thyme, tarragon, sage and rosemary. 5202 Lovelock St, San Diego, CA 92110 Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m Interested in other … [Read more...]