Garden Activities: June 3, 2025

It was a gray overcast day at the garden — a perfect day for working outside without getting overheated. On hand were Steve Davis, Bill Dobner, Kristen Guy (a new volunteer as of today — welcome Kristin!), Dale Harshberger, Beverly Kemmerling, Julie Moffat, Katie Shank, Daryl Stutley, Nancy Taylor Walker and myself. We started out by surveying the plants planted this spring to see how they were doing and watering them if necessary. Then, the team headed up the hill to resume the daunting task of doing battle with the mustard and star thistle in the Desert Garden. Bill addressed himself to the compost.

Daryl, Julie, Katie, Dale, Nancy and Kristen.

It doesn’t show up well in this image, but behind the group is a sea of yellow blooming mustard and star thistle in the open area at the top of the hill. We got a good chunk of it out.

Beverly returning from the south side of garden with a cache of mustard.

Daryl and yours truly resting shortly before calling it a day.

Below is an image of one of the last stands of matilija poppy currently in bloom. Like many CA natives it goes dormant in the summer looking somewhat ratty, but the May blossoms — the largest in the poppy family — make it a great addition to the garden, and we are blessed with healthy stands in the native section and at the top of the hill.

A striking plant for the color of its seeds is Dianella tasmanica:

Blue is a rare color for flowers and seeds in nature. The chemical process to produce this color is more complex (and therefore more “expensive”) than for other colors such as red or yellow. This is an Australian native and we have it in the Butterfly Garden and Australian section.

Thanks to Steve, Beverly and Nancy for their images.

Enjoy the garden…KMM