What is xeriscaping?

What plants can I use?

• San Jose Water water-saving plants
• UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County water-wise plant database
• South Bay Green Gardens resources

Tips + tricks

• Plant in well-draining soil — avoid soggy or dry soil
• Add mulch — a layer on your landscape can help retain moisture + keep roots cool
• Water earlier in the day — doing so at peak heat times (the middle of the day) will make the water evaporate quickly
• Pull weeds — getting rid of dead plant debris will keep a healthy landscape

• San Jose Giants vs. Modesto Nuts | Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 1 p.m. | Excite Ballpark, 588 E. Alma Ave., San Jose | $5-$29 | Cheer on our home team as they take on competitors from the north.
• Fairgrounds Live | Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 4:30 p.m. | Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd., San Jose | Free | Enjoy food trucks, a beer garden, yard games, and sounds from the Touch of Class Band.
• Hey Girl Black & Pink Dance Party | Wednesday, Aug. 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Holiday Inn San Jose SV, 1350 N. First St., San Jose | Free | Celebrate Silicon Valley Pride Week with a free dance to tunes from DJ Danny G.

• 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships | Thursday, Aug. 24-Sunday, Aug. 27 | Times vary | SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose | $10-$30 | Enjoy world-class gymnastics talent and a USA Gymnastics National Congress & Trade Show across three days.
• Gordon Biersch Night Market | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 5-9 p.m. | Gordon Biersch Brewery, 357 E. Taylor St., San Jose | Free | Every Thursday night, enjoy food trucks, craft brews, local craft vendors, live entertainment, and luchador battles.
• Pobladores Night Market | Thursday, Aug. 24 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Parque de los Pobladores, South First + South Market streets, San Jose | Free | Enjoy live music, art displays, a beer garden, and food trucks at this weekly night market.

• SVPride Kickoff Party | Friday, Aug. 25 | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | The Glasshouse, 84 W. Santa Clara St., Ste. 100, San Jose | Free | Mingle and bust a move to sets by DJ Moscone and DJ Lexapeel.
• Tony Rock | Friday, Aug. 25 | 7:30 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 S. Second St., San Jose | $25-$75 | This funnyman was the host of HBO’s “All Def Comedy,” NBA TV’s “The Warm Up,” and BET’s “Black Card Revoked.”

• San Jose-based developer Urban Catalyst has created a new fund to focus on a development project called Aquino, a 272-unit luxury apartment complex. The fund, UC Multifamily Equity I LLC (UCME), will be structured as a real estate operating company for the approved construction planned near Google’s Downtown West village. (Business Wire)

• Due to an upcoming pavement repair project, there will be closures of both northbound + southbound State Route 87. Expect northbound detours from Friday, Sept. 22, at 9 p.m. to Monday, Sept. 25, at 5 a.m. and southbound detours from Friday, Oct. 20, at 9 p.m. to Monday, Oct. 23, 5 a.m. (The Mercury News)

• A new Taco Bell Cantina — a version of the fast food chain that sells alcohol — is celebrating its grand opening today at Oakridge Mall. If you make a purchase there today, you’ll be automatically entered in a contest to win free Taco Bell for a whole year. (The Mercury News)

• San Jose State is currently looking at the Signia Hilton San Jose’s 264-unit south tower to be converted to more student housing. While nothing has been finalized, the high rise may prove to be a desirable option for combating the hotel’s low occupancy + stimulating economic activity in downtown. (The Mercury News)

• The CSU Board of Trustees will vote next month on a potential annual tuition hike of 6% as it faces a $1.5 billion system-wide deficit. The hike would take effect in the fall 2024 semester, raising tuition by $342. The board would then review the increase every five years. (The Mercury News)

• Adobe co-founder John Warnock has died at the age of 82. The prominent Silicon Valley figure helped bring the creative business to life with Charles Geschke in 1982. Similar to another tech giant, the product was created in a garage — and named after the Adobe Creek behind John’s house. (The Mercury News/Fast Company)

• VTA reported that its bus ridership was 43% higher last year as compared to 2021 — which ranks it among the highest transit recoveries in the US. However, bus + lightrail ridership has still not reached pre-pandemic levels. June 2023 recorded ~2 million riders versus June 2019 with ~2.7 million riders. (The Mercury News)

• The great 408 recently ranked No. 11 out of 100 best cities to “babymoon,” or when expecting parents vacation before having their baby. The study scored SJ high for its levels of happiness, safety, and dining. We were one of four CA cities to rank in the top 20. (San José Spotlight)

• The Santa Clara County’s Commission on the Status of Women will celebrate its 50th anniversary at the LinkedIn headquarters in Mountain View tomorrow, Aug. 24, at 1:30 p.m. Established in 1973, the commission works to promote gender equity in various county programs and policies — inquire within for more event information.

• Ready to tailgate? Our online shop, Six & Main, has you covered. Spice up your game-day burgers with Spicewalla’s 3-Pack Grill Lovers Collection.

• Find your new favorite scents this fall from our candle brands such as Wixology and Corridor Candle Co. Shop now at Six & Main.

• Socks mysteriously eaten by your washing machine again? Yeah, us too. Try these women’s no-show socks — a bestselling sock with 50,000+ five-star reviews.

• These pop-up soccer goals make the most of time outdoors with the kids or grandkids. Easily set them up, then just as easily put away and store.

• The piece of furniture we’re drooling over: this Poly & Bark leather ottoman pouf in cognac brown. Hello, soft leather and beautiful living room.