Plant & Soul California: Growing Community, One Garden Party at a Time
- BVNA
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
If you’ve strolled down Race Street in San Jose lately, you might have noticed a buzzing little green oasis full of native plants, music, laughter, and the smell of wood-fired pizza drifting through the air. That’s Plant & Soul California — a community garden and nonprofit with deep roots and a brand-new name.
From CNGF to Plant & Soul 🌱✨
For 21 years, the group was known as the California Native Garden Foundation (CNGF), where they worked to turn parking lots and patches of asphalt into living, breathing gardens full of life. This year, they’ve reintroduced themselves as Plant & Soul California, a name that better reflects their heart-and-soul approach to connecting people with nature.
It’s not just a fresh coat of paint — it’s a re-energized mission to make San Jose greener, healthier, and more fun. As they put it, the new name is about improving on how we explore, learn, and celebrate together in nature.
What They Do 🌎💚
Plant & Soul isn’t just about pretty flowers (though there are plenty of those). Their gardens double as classrooms, community kitchens, and outdoor living rooms. Some highlights:
The Lab for Nature-Based Urban Living – their flagship space on Race Street, combining gardens, teaching kitchens, aquaponics, and renewable energy projects. Think of it as part farm, part school, part hangout.
ELSEE Garden – an award-winning teaching garden with over 200 ecosystem benchmarks. Translation: it’s a beautiful, science-meets-art outdoor classroom.
Youth & Community Programs – from preschool playgroups and homeschool classes to summer nature camps and volunteer days, there’s something for every age (yes, grown-ups too!).
Monday Socials = Garden + Pizza + Good Vibes 🍕🌿🎶
Here’s the real magic: every Monday evening from 6–8 PM, Plant & Soul hosts Monday Socials in the garden.
Picture this: neighbors gather under the trees, volunteers fire up a wood-fired pizza oven, people bring dishes to share, and conversations bloom right alongside the wildflowers. Sometimes there’s music, sometimes just laughter, but always a welcoming vibe.
Want in? It’s free, it’s fun, and you can RSVP or just drop by. Details are on their Meetup page
The Future Looks Bright 🌞
With their rebrand underway, Plant & Soul is gearing up for even bigger things — more programs, more community meals, and more ways to bring people together through nature. They’re currently raising funds to finish the rebrand and relaunch their garden programs in 2025.
Stop By & Say Hi 👋
You don’t have to wait to get involved. Swing by on a Monday night, volunteer, or just come soak in the garden.
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