Thank you to all who braved the heat to attend this year's incredible Spring Garden Open House—a.k.a. the Permaculture Garden Party, hosted by the students in the Permaculture and Sustainable Building classes last Friday! The Permaculture Garden came alive as visitors made their way through the winding garden, visiting…

• all the native and edible plantings, including different fruit trees growing apple, pomegranate, fig, mulberry, persimmon, cherry, calamansi, and finger lime to name a few!
• rabbit and pig friends from the nonprofit animal sanctuary Singer Sanctuary (founded by our very own Service & Community Engagement Coordinator Erica St. John!), and
• informational posters on what the students have been working on this year, including hand-woven material projects, mycelium bricks (an organic brick built from fungus!), expanded rain garden, and new Hügelkulturs (raised bed gardening technique using rotting wood and organic materials)

Attendees were also able to sample homemade marshmallows (made from Mallow peas!) and delicious mint, rosemary, and Mexican marigold

teas as well as participate in seed packet and aroma therapy packet giveaways. Kudos to the winners of the plotted plant raffle, and to Middle and Upper School Mandarin Chinese Teacher Lily Shang-Strom and Director of Alumnae Engagement Fan Wang (pictured right) who—in a raffle for Westridge faculty/staff—won two raised beds in the Permaculture Garden that they will tend to for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Click here to see a gallery from the afternoon event!