The Latest Dirt - July 2024

Dawn Kooyumjian Welcomes Us to Her Garden

by David George

Contra Costa County UC Master Gardener Program Coordinator Dawn Kooyumjian has been responsible for the business side of the program since June 2016. But do you really know Dawn? She and I had a chance to chat last week during a break in her many official duties. Where did she acquire that near-encyclopedic knowledge of plant names? What is her garden like? Did she really build a complete harpsichord all by herself? Read on for answers to these questions and more!

What were your interests and life like before joining UC Master Gardeners?

“I have been fascinated by gardening since I was a kid, studying the Sunset Western Garden book like a school textbook. As an undergrad at UC Berkeley, my initial interests were engineering and math, but I found myself drawn to the music department and graduated with a BA in Music. I went on to earn a Master’s in Piano Accompaniment from the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut, which also included harpsichord. While living in Washington, DC, I accompanied classical musicians on both piano and harpsichord. A highlight was accompanying on harpsichord the entire Handel’s Messiah in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. In graduate school, the harpsichords were always needing attention. I thought there’d be no better way to learn all about how they work than to build my own from a kit: cabinet, keyboard, strings, paint and décor, the whole thing. I’ve played it in Bay Area concerts for over 25 years, including at the Berkeley Festival and Exposition and with Baroque Etcetera.”

From Glen Shannon’s YouTube page, “My friends in Baroque Etcetera playing the Sinfonia from Bach’s cantata “Non sa, che sia dolore,” BWV 209. One of my all-time favorites for the flute! March 19, 2011, at Good Shepherd Episcopal in Berkeley, CA.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAAwwO0K5Hc&t=6s

Wow! That’s quite a music background. When did you embrace your gardening passion?

“I returned to the Bay Area to enroll in the UC Berkeley Landscape Architecture graduate program. While earning my second master’s, I worked as a horticulturist at Blake Garden in Kensington, the teaching garden for the Landscape Architecture Department. I was also a lecturer in plant identification and drought for the department, in addition to my work in the garden. Blake House was the historical residence of the UC President, and the gardens are close to 11 acres. Most of my plant knowledge was experiential. I managed a portion of the gardens, which meant long days pulling oxalis out of flower beds (she laughs). But I learned about hundreds of different plants. Then I updated the Blake Garden plant inventory list, which had nearly 1,500 plant descriptions, scientific names, requirements, and uses – all arranged alphabetically by scientific name.”

Ah, so that’s how you picked up that awesome plant vocabulary. Did you then apply to become a UC Master Gardener in 2015?

“Yes. My home was in Richmond, and the Contra Costa Master Gardeners held their New Volunteer Training class that year at the Richmond Field Station. I was certified along with a bunch of other West County Master Gardeners. Our program coordinator retired that fall. In October, 10 of us West County UC Master Gardeners got together for a tomato-tasting event. After some wine and tomatoes, they approved a ‘proclamation’ stating that I should apply for the position. So, it’s all their fault (she laughs again).”

What has been the most enjoyable aspect of managing the Contra Costa program so far?

“Just watching how the program has grown and expanded since 2015 has been enjoyable and rewarding. We do more outreach in our communities now, more projects and project teams, and great ideas for reaching underserved residents. Of course, this has all been through the hard work, dedication, and vision of our Master Gardener volunteers. It’s truly been amazing to watch our activity levels grow. Contra Costa UC Master Gardeners is an extraordinary program now.

So, what’s cooking in your own garden?

“My own garden? It’s a mess right now (laughs). I’m redoing my central lawn area because I killed it for water conservation reasons, and my rescue dog has become very sad. I didn’t realize how important the lawn was to Tucker. Around the lawn, I’m growing 11 different kinds of heirloom tomatoes. I only have about 1,000 square feet to work with, so I plant and water efficiently. I’m experimenting with traditional terracotta watering flasks called ollas. You bury them in the ground among your plantings and then add water. The water seeps into the soil at a slow, steady rate to keep the plants hydrated.

“Because of my limited backyard space years ago, I sheet-mulched a weedy part of my neighbor’s front yard that sits between our homes. With his blessing, I’ve steadily added more vegetables and flowers to this space. Our neighbors drop by to take photos or to pick whatever is in season: sunflowers, zinnias, pumpkins, dahlias, cut flowers. It’s my fun outreach to the neighborhood.”

How do you relax and decompress after a long day?

“Oh, I play with my garden plants, and I love to play with my dog. I play piano or harpsichord for relaxation and practice, and I love to knit. I just took an Armenian needlelace course and am excited to make my own. I also love to cook – homegrown veggies are my favorites.”

Would you like to share a message with our Contra Costa Master Gardeners?

“Yes! I want to thank everyone for their volunteerism, ideas, and energy. Nothing happens without our CoCoMG volunteers – no plant sales, AAMG booths, demonstration gardens, community gardens, school gardens, or Help Desk. We’ve shown that we can adapt quickly to changing circumstances, like quickly building presentation webinars during COVID-19. The program is powered by talented, experienced, and dedicated individuals who generously work to advance our mission. All I can say is, Thank You!”

And thanks to you, Dawn, for your time, leadership, and support these past eight years. The future looks bright!