Gardeners, Gooseberries and Goldfinches

A typical Spring Friday at the garden brings out new volunteers, new plants and new birds. As Julie writes in a recent email:

"Another FAB day! No trash left behind or vandalism of any kind, and the water feature looked terrific. Gretchen and I had talked about planting yet another variety of manzanita (recommended as easiest to grow by Tree Of Life Nursery) up near the west entrance, so those are now in. Among the about 10 volunteers, Marilyn helped plant a new kind of Gooseberry in Kathy C's area. There were oodles of birds...shown are some Lesser Goldfinches at one of the feeders."

Thanks Julie!

Photo by Julie Gonella

The Saga of the Path

This February brought much needed rain to the garden. We are all pretty happy about that. As many of you know, along with showers we once again lost alot of our decomposed granite path. We are not so happy about that. This has been an issue for a number of years now with much lively discussion and debate ongoing on the board and amongst the volunteers about what a final solution might be. We have researched a number of ideas, and seen a few of the newer permeable paving surfaces but have yet to find something we like that has a natural feel, is permeable and is cost-effective. The old-timers here say that the consensus always ends up with most of us liking the DG during most of the year until it rains - and then we discuss it all over again. Well we have to have something to debate!

Beach Reporter

We are pleased to announce that as of Spring '09 the MBBG will be contributing to a regular article in our local South Bay Paper, The Beach Reporter. We plan on tackling issues such as the new City water ordinance and how to kill your lawn. We will also be writing about some of our favorite plants. Have a topic suggestion? Let us know!

Tree Pruning Demo

Along with the Manhattan Canopy Tree Committee, VOICE and the City of Manhattan Beach, we plan to sponsor several tree pruning demonstrations this year. Enviroscape's Mike Garcia and Arborists Ann Barklow from Garden Magic Company and Greg Monfette will be on hand to answer questions. The first demo. is January 24th at the garden from 9:00 - 12:00.

Get the MCTC's handout here (pdf)

Fall 2008 Classes at the Garden - Free!

Fall Class Schedule 2008

For Complete details, please go to the MBBG hompage

Learn How to Kill Your Lawn
Sept. 20, 10-11 am
Mimi Andersen & Ann Barklow, Garden Magic Company

Gardening with Natives
Sept. 27, 10-11 am
Jon Bell, instructor, Annie’s Nursery

Water Saving Irrigation Technology
Oct. 4, 10-11 am
Mike Garcia, instructor, Enviroscape

Insects: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Oct. 18, 10-11 am
Gretchen Renshaw-Zwissler, UCLA Instructor

Let’s Talk Trees
Nov. 1, 10-11 am
Ann Barklow, Certified Arborist

Water-Efficient Pondless Waterfalls
Nov. 8, 10-11 am
Mike Garcia, instructor, Enviroscape

Reiki in the Garden
Nov. 15, 10-11 am
Sheri Hein, Certified Instructor

Harvest Moonwatch at the Garden

Over 50 people attended the Sept. 14th Harvest Moonwatch event at the garden! The gala included telescope viewing of la luna and conversation with an astronomer as well as music, dance performances, poetry readings and iced green tea and moon cake refreshments! Thanks to the Moon Committee and it's fearless leader, John Scott, for making this full moon event so special.

You are Invited to the Sign Dedication Celebration, March 7, 4pm...

The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden will unveil its new interpretive signs, which describe the garden and its mission, on Friday, March 7 at 4 pm held at the Garden.

The signs, which further establish the garden as an educational earth-friendly habitat, were funded mainly through grants from West Basin Municipal Water District and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Garden donors also helped fund the project. The signs were written, developed and designed by volunteers.

According to MBBG President Julie Gonella, the installation of the si gns will mark another significant milestone in the Garden’s development. “When the founders began planning this environmentally friendl y demonstration garden in 1992, they had no idea how long it would take to create or how much it would cost. After thousands of dollars and volunteer hours it was opened to the public i n 2001, but without any signage many visitors have wondered what it was all about. Now, they will know.”

The seven, two-foot by three-foot state-park quality interpretive signs were installed in late November of 2007. Together they offer an educational self-guided tour through the garden covering topics such as California Friendly Plants, Mulch and Compost, Water: Where it Comes From and Ways to Conserve, Our Mediterranean Climate, Creatures of the Garden, How to Create a Wildlife Habitat and History of the Garden.

The public is invited to the celebration which will be held at the Garden located on the west side of Polliwog Park (on Manhattan Beach Blvd.) off Peck Avenue. Water district, city, county and state officials are expected to attend and major donors will be recognized. Refreshments will be served.

Note: Special thanks to Jim Catella for doing an excellent installation job!