The Latest Dirt - Nov 2022
The Gehringer Pollinator Garden Project
By Karen Maggio, Phil Quinlan and Liz Whiteford
We’re building a new demonstration pollinator garden at Gehringer Community Garden in North Concord. After receiving approval from the Executive Leadership in September, the UC Master Gardener team (Phil Quinlan, Karen Goodwin, Liz Whiteford, Anna Wendorf and Allison Thomas) hit the dry, weedy, ground running. They began with an assessment of what stays and goes followed by extensive pruning and clearing. Undaunted by rosemary bushes the size of trees and perennial weeds with a deep-rooted history, this enthusiastic group found success quickly. Both sunny and shady areas along the perimeter of the community garden fence are included in this project for a total area of about 1800 sq. ft.
Phil led the charge, Anna initiated the design process, Liz added her pollinator expertise, and Karen and Allison rolled up their sleeves to show everyone, including community volunteers, how to get this phase of the job done. Gehringer Garden volunteers assisted by filling a large dumpster with the removed plant material and delivered, by wheelbarrow, many yards of mulch and compost to their staging positions. Yay, community volunteers!
Next came sheet mulching, irrigation planning, and wish lists. Cheryl Schmidt has been busy handling the supply orders and deliveries. Determining the right signage design and educational materials, in conjunction with other UC Master Gardener demonstration projects, is yet to come.
The intent of this demonstration garden is to engage the local community in learning about the importance of pollinators and to gather interest for future education programs at Gehringer. Most of the plants selected are native and/or drought tolerant, and specifically chosen for the shady and sunny locations. Encouragingly, members of the local community have already shown a keen interest and expressed their support on their daily walks.
If you are interested in helping out and learning more about the Gehringer Pollinator Garden, please contact Phil Quinlan, beemsly-4321@yahoo.com ) or see the roster on VMS https://vms-mg.ucanr.edu/user/roster/
