Garden Activities: June 16, 2026

The heat Tuesday was more than I anticipated so we have made the decision to move our work hours from 9-11 to 8-10am starting next Tuesday (6/23). We’ll revert back to the 9-11 time frame on or about November 1st when daylight savings time ends for the year.

Avinash Bahadur has asked me to forward the following message to the volunteers regarding the compost operation. “Marshall, could you let your team members know that if they want to add organics to the five compost bins, they are welcome to do so.

We are generally low on organics and have a plentiful supply of "browns"

Please bear in mind: no cooked food and no meat products.

Thanks

Avinash"

Braving the heat Tuesday were: Julia Appelrouth, Krystyna Bacik, Susanna Mac, Katie Shank (with special guest Spike), Daryl Stutley, Nancy Taylor Walker, Ann Wright, and myself. Ann had voiced concern about the CA buckeyes in the native section.

The tree is actually perfectly healthy but is summer dormant. I believe I incorrectly said it was winter dormant which was incorrect.  I don’t remember any of these blooming this spring — perhaps it was just because we focused on areas on the other side of the service road and the native garden paths between Lillian’s Meadow and the old Garden Entrance and between that entrance and the Main Entrance. In any case they seem to have gone dormant earlier than normal perhaps due to the unusually warm, dry late winter and spring. Healthy green buds were evident, and the dry leaves will eventually drop off.

This tree appears to be less lucky. It has no dried leaves and no green buds evident. It has been trimmed perhaps to see if it will come back, but even though the tiny branches are still somewhat supple, I’d say its prognosis is guarded.

On the way back from examining the buckeyes, we stopped and continued the mustard eradication effort in front of the stand of matilija poppies along the gravel pathway.

Susanna, Julia, Daryl and Ann pulling, digging and cutting mustard.

Katie with helper Spike holding a black mustard plant.

Krystyna, Susanna, Daryl and Julia mopping up the area.

From there we went to the beginning of the Trail of Trees and focused on pulling the star thistle plants that were fast drying out and setting seeds.

Krystyna starting near the path where there were relatively few plants.

The major work took place down hill from the path along the culvert that separates CVBG from the condo community.

Susanna, Ann and Daryl along the edge.

When this solid stand of thistle came into view I figured the condo folks would clear the remaining area as part of their fire abatement efforts which usually include weed cutting several feet beyond the culvert.

Though no longer a rarity, the yellow clivia is unusual in our garden and has just begun to bloom in the S. African garden. Clivias can be planted out doors in our climate but a rest period over the winter is necessary for optimal blooming in the spring. They do well in pots in which it is easier to provide only the minimal water and food needed in the rest period, especially during a rainy winter, and they like to be pot bound.

Clivia miniata ‘Longwood Sunrise’

Many thanks to Nancy for her images this week!

Enjoy the garden!    KMM