San Jose community garden must vacate as land sold to developer

A community garden in San Jose called Plant and Soul California, known for its native and edible plants, has been told to vacate after the land was sold to a developer, CBS News Bay Area reported.

The garden, located on Race Street, has existed for 27 years and features plants such as fennel flowers, French sorrel, salt bush, nasturtiums, and elderberry trees, which board member Jessicka Chamberlin highlighted as unique in the city.

On September 30, the property owner notified the gardeners that the land was in escrow to be sold and gave them 20 days to move out, making October 20 their last day at the site, according to CBS News Bay Area.

Volunteers and community members have expressed sadness and hope for a solution, with one volunteer, Delmar Duldulao, describing the garden as inspiring and important to the urban farming community.

The garden's board chair, Melissa Blum, said they are hoping for a 'miracle' or an investor to save the garden but are preparing to leave if no solution is found.

In the meantime, the gardeners held a community yard sale to raise funds and awareness about the garden's uncertain future, as reported by CBS News Bay Area.