I promised i’d give a mention to this weekend’s Master Gardener Tour. Several of the garden’s have Martinez Addresses, and our local Master Gardeners have been good (though surprising!) friend of the Martinez Beavers. For 15 dollars you get the full benefit of their training and expertise, and some great ideas for your own backyard.
President Harriet Burt writes:
We are hoping that it is not our last as the County seed money funding (of about $3k) may be pulled which will stop $3m of UC Cooperative Extension money which funds us, 4-H, the County Ag advisors for the remaining real farmers, nutrition programs all sorts of good things for all residents in the County. We are fighting hard to keep it. Tickets cost $15 and can be obtained from me! (372-8038 or 209-0800 or email) and I will deliver! Six gardens including two neat ones in Martinez: The downtown one is on the top of Brown Street in one of the old Shell cottages right next to the refinery. Troy McGregor is an Australian who bought the place which is quite charming albeit small and has put in a wonderful garden of natives, mediterranean and Australian plants…low on water needs but high on appeal. The fun thing is that Marilyn Thelen’s step-grandfather worked for Shell and maintained the gardens on that block of residences built originally for Shell employees.
The one in Virginia Hills is a neat lawn-free walking garden….the 60s low maintenance foundation plants like camellias and nandina and juniper and the lawn have made way for drought tolerant and wonderfully laid out plants…You’ll enjoy all the gardens including two in Pleasant Hill and two in the Tice Valley part of Walnut Creek. One of those is truly amazing if you like vegetable gardening, it’s a must see! Actually it is anyway as the ornamental part is wonderful also. Our theme this year is water conservation so we are emphasizing native, Mediterranean and Australian plants. All the gardens have great features and all are emphasizing low water usage in some way including transitioning from a more traditional plant palette to one that acknowledges the growing scarcity of water.
We’re having a big plant sale at the other one — mostly drought tolerant plants such as salvias, succulents etc. And, fall is the best time to plant natives and Mediterranean plants so they get watered in well (or hopefully well if El Nino comes through).
