On Friday and Saturday I went down into the Nature Park to speak with some people interested in doing additional volunteer work. The good news first! The
Clematis ligusticifolia - virgin's bower - is in full bloom.
The wild buckwheat (
Eriogonum fasciculatum) is also blooming its heart out!
And now for the not-so-good news. The weeds are thriving! There are many new castor bean (
Ricinus communis) seedlings.
Castor bean (
Ricinus communis) is going to seed.
Tree of heaven (
Ailanthus alissima) continues to sprout from the root system of the original tree.
Although litter and graffiti are both problems, we must be especially diligent removing these weeds. If we allow them get a real foothold, the park will not provide good native habitat.
And more good news! The boy scouts are coming to the rescue. I have been talking with a couple of scouts and am hopeful they will be able to make a serious dent in the weeds and possibly with some of the signage. If you know of anyone else who would like to help out, please give them my email address (barbara.eisenstein@gmail.com).
And even more good news! The city has provided some funds for the purchase of new plants. We will be buying and planting them in November and December (the best time of year to plant natives). We will plant out from the central kiosk into the large, barren central part of park. By planting in a relatively contained area we will have an easier time keeping the weeds at bay and the new plants alive.
Next clean-up will be the September 12th (second Saturday of the month). I will send out an email a week and a half before the event, and another reminder a couple of days before it. If you want to be added or removed from the email list, please let me know.
See you in September!
