We Planted Good!

Mar 26, 2012 by cnps2011

CNPS planted native plants around the ranch house of Chimineas Ecological Reserve on February 18. Thirteen of us had a beautiful weather day to garden. Thanks again to all who helped: Linda and Dave Chipping, John Doyle, Melinda and Bruce Elster, Craig Fiehler, Ken Hickman, Mardi Niles, Marti Rutherford, Nancy and Bill Shearer, Dirk Walters, and myself.

We planted 25 plants, 15 species: Calif. and nude and long-stem buckwheat, interior goldenbush, scarlet bugler, nightshade, mountain mahogany, ceanothus, bladderpod, bush lupine, purple sage, toyon, elderberry, coyote brush, and golden yarrow. These plants will harbor and feed native birds, insects, and animals much better than the plants that were there, and they will need far less water and maintenance. Plant signs are on the way, so we can educate visitors too.

As of this writing (March 7) nearly all the plants are doing very well. Bladderpod is real droopy; it better come through, because that one took a lot of work to transplant.

In the evening we enjoyed a splendid potluck dinner. Most of us stayed over for the night, in the ranch house or in campers. Sunday morning brought a most excellent breakfast, and a visit to blue oak woodland, with a steep hike up a hill for a scenic view.

— George Butterworth