Gardening In The Grove
by Bill Valuch

Police Log: Gorilla Gardeners Strike Again

In the early morning hours several ladies were spotted in downtown Pacific Grove with shovels and trowels in hand. It seems they were unhappy with the condition of one of the medians that divide Lighthouse Ave., and they were going to do something about it. "We thought a few nice plants and new soil might help and hopefully inspire others to get involved," said one of the ladies. "We call ourselves the Gorilla Gardeners."

This really did happen a few years ago (not the police log part), and it did indeed inspire the Downtown Business Improvement District (DBID) to plant 600 daffodils that fall. When spring arrived, it was quite a show with all those yellow cups swaying in the breeze. Since then the Beautification Committee, headed by Jeanne Anton and her volunteers, have spruced up the medians and planters -- but as with all gardens, time has taken its toll. That and the fact that the medians are root-bound and the ocean breeze can really get going through downtown. So the Beautification Committee and DBID are rolling up their sleeves once again, and hopefully by the time you read this the planters will be full of color ready for our summer season.

Celia Martinez and the Public Works crew are moving in ahead of the new Gorilla Gardeners, getting the planters ready for the new plants. Extra soil, plant food, and mulch will be added this year in hopes of improving the condition of the planters. I think the extra prep work will really pay off by providing a better base for the plants and mulching after planting will help the areas retain water.

Many of the plants were barely hanging in there and it’s time to remove them for more desirable ones. I always hate removing a plant that isn’t doing well, and trying to save it is my first choice though not always the best. In an environment like the downtown, first impressions are lasting so replacing is the best choice. The challenge is to find the right mixture that will withstand the constant breeze that is a part of our downtown.

Gazanias, bacopa, ice plant and alyssum all seemed to survive from the previous plantings, so those will once again be on the list. New additions are yet to be decided at this time, but I am sure our planters will look better than ever and I can’t wait to see them. Volunteering for work like this is good for the community and good for the soul. I am encouraged to see so many involved in a project like this. Maybe you or your group would like to adopt one of these planters. Pruning, weeding, deadheading, and new plantings will be required to keep them looking their best, and with a little help we will have a downtown full of color and something to be proud of.

The Lighthouse Landscape Project
Another community project that will be starting up soon is the landscaping of the actual Lighthouse at the golf course. I understand that the Heritage Society is heading up the project, and I am sure they can use various local resources in their efforts. I was told that they would like to restore the grounds and will be using historical photographs to assist in their efforts. More about the Lighthouse project is forthcoming so stay tuned.

There are so many ways to use your gardening expertise and serve your local community. In these tough economic times where money is in short supply at the city level, investing in projects like these can only increase the value of our town and enrich the lives of so many of our residents and visitors. So let’s all roll up our sleeves, grab our tools, and get involved in our community.

As always, I encourage you to share your ideas, tips and experiences by emailing us at misstrawicks@sbcglobal.net or visiting us at 664 Lighthouse Avenue in Pacific Grove and on the web at www.misstrawicks.com.