From the rooftop garden of YES Housing, Inc.'s Imperial Building in Downtown Albuquerque comes an exciting update! Residents Ava and Scotty recently planted sweet potato slips in the garden. These slips, short vines grown directly from sweet potatoes. They require consistent watering and protection from direct sunlight for the initial weeks after planting. In just a couple of months, these initially modest slips will transform into lush vining plants that will gracefully overflow the garden beds. Sweet potatoes have proven to be among the most productive and sought-after crops at the Imperial Building. Furthermore, we've implemented a clever technique of mulching our tomatoes with excess dill to deter tomato pests. By interplanting and mulching with aromatic herbs like dill, basil, and onions, we effectively reduce the presence of hornworms on our plants by masking their scent. This strategy proved successful last season, with zero instances of hornworm damage. A special thanks to Mission ABQ's James Landry for his invaluable photos and expertise, as well as to all our dedicated resident volunteers for their hard work and commitment to the garden's success. #downtownabqimperial #yeshousinginc #rooftopgarden #missionabq #gardening #gardeningtips #healthylivingservices #sweetpotatoes #residentvolunteers (fb)

From YES Housing, Inc.’s Imperial Building and Nuevo Atrisco communities: a warm welcome to Nicole and James, dedicated members of the Imperial community who generously volunteer their time each week. A special shoutout to them for their invaluable contributions - your efforts are truly appreciated. In the midst of our activities, we've been diligently planting summer squash and melons, nurturing our garden spaces with care and dedication. Over at Nuevo Atrisco, we're learning about the trench method of strategically placing fertilizer deep near the roots of our tomatoes and chile plants for optimal growth. The group from One of a Kind Kids have proven themselves to be true "Burqueños" when they expressed their desire for spicier chile this year. Responding to their feedback, this season we are cultivating three extra-hot varieties of green chili - Barker, Lumber, and Santa Fe Hot, promising a fiery culinary experience ahead. A heartfelt thank you to James for capturing moments and providing updates, and to all our volunteers for their unwavering support and commitment to our community initiatives. #yeshousinginc #missionabq #oneofakindkids #downtownabqimperial #nuevoatriscoabq #communitygarden #rooftopgarden #gardening #healthyliving (fb)