Seeding at Nix and Nursery

Sarah, Ranger Barbara, Tom and David helped prep and seed about 1 acre directly around the Nix Center. We roughed up about ½ area with McCloud’s.... not easy work, as much of the ground was very compacted from the original construction. All we need now is some light rain.
Meanwhile back at the Nursery, Nanci worked with Boy Scout's troop for a project to "improve mammal habitat" for a merit badge. They helped re-seed remaining oak seedlings, clean up after freeze/dry damage, and bump up from seed flats.

Dudleya planting at Nix Center

We planted over 200 Chalk Dudleya along the “rock way” to the Nix center: Anne (with broken collar bone), Sarah, her sister, Scott and family: Julie, Guy and Bridget. The plants were started in October, and interesting enough the seed came from plants recovered from the toll road construction. Thank you to Ranger Barbara for watering the area for this planting. The weather forecast of showers for the next few days is just what these new plants will want.

Frost damage, make-up day

We lost 30-50% of our potted plants due to repeated days of freezing weather and dry winds…. guess they were “freeze dried”. Thanks to Greg and Nanci for their earnest help salvaging what they could, especially for our first planting in 2 weeks. It is too early to tell what the status of the oak seedlings are now… they’re not dead, but not too lively looking… so consensus was “wait and see”. Without the oaks we have over 600 plants… small and battered. The remaining seed flats are a mixed bag, but the Dudleya was unfazed!
Oh.. on Wednesday Ranger Larry, helped (read, he “did”) replace the cistern valve that broke in the prior frost. Much thanks for the help!

2007-Jan-14 Frozen Out

The work day was called off due to “everything” was frozen: rain cisterns, all hoses, city water line, seed flats, stratifying oak acorns and all potted plants. This is first time this has happened in 3 years. Ranger Larry Sweet said it was 26 degrees (F) at 7:30am. The cistern valve broke… probably trying to get it to work after it was frozen. Sarah, Paul, David, and Nanci showed up to work…. Click here for video.

More bumping up

Anne, Nanci, Greg, and David "bumped up" Giant needlegrass, Monkey flower, Sticky Cinqfoil, Deer grass and Golden yarrow. Also Supervising Ranger Sweet (not pictured) came by and kept us company and shared his insights. A good day all around.

Bumping Up

Nanci and I worked Friday, Nov 24, and Sunday, Nov 26, it was Sarah, Paul and myself. Nanci and Sarah bumped up the remaining Scrub Oak and Coast Live Oak acorns into 4” tall pots, Quercus berberidifolia and Quercus agrifolia respectively. The rats/mice eat the tops off early, so the hutches laid on their sides provided convenient caging until the oaks get at least 8” tall. Nanci and Sarah did the oaks. Paul did all the Purple Needle grass, Nassella pulchra, and jointly Sarah and Paul did 3 flats of Giant Needle grass, Achnatherum coronatum. I did two flats of Encelia californica. Very productive weekend! See slideshow for pictures. (Click any pic to enlarge)

Nursery Video Tour 2006