Year End Thanks 2006/2007

Thank you all who have come and volunteered through out the year either with plants at the Nursery or collecting seed.
The goal for restoration plants was 600, and we only hit 400. However we can say that the additional bumper crop of chalk and lancet-leaf Dudleya made up for things: over 200 each! We were hit very hard by the dry winds coupled with days of ‘teen weather – destroying over 50% of the 2 major planting days we had. Thank you again to those that helped out: Nanci, Anne, Sarah, David, Tom, Paul, Greg, Kimberly, Barbara, Francisco and Larry.
Seed collection goal was 3 lbs, which we met handidly: 3.3 lbs of LCWP Nursery “Party” mix: 80% CA buckwheat, remainder about 4% each: CA everlasting, golden bush, deer weed, E. californica, and purple needle grass. Many thanks to those who helped collect: Anne, Sarah, Dale, Marilyn, Matt, Brad, David, Tom, Ranger Barbara, Francisco … and especially Kimberly by incorporating collection into her educational classes (she also totted around family with un-named CA State Park ranger to collect acorns).

Wrap up day, plants at Nursery

This was last work day at Nursery for this season (Oct-March). Thanks to Nanci and Anne for helping bump up remaining plants: oaks and Dudleya, general all-around work and final seed cleaning. Much of the remaining Nursery plants will be put in the ground at the Nix Center in March by a Soka University Horticulture class.
The cleaned seed mix was turned over to Ranger Barbara for safe cool keeping and “use as needed”… she mentioned use at Rattlesnake Canyon. 3.3 pounds in total.
Stay tuned for newly posted work schedule, which will begin in June timeframe. I’ll send out email when I’ve posted it, but most likely won’t be until April.

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.