A seasoned and fun group of gardeners performed the annual pruning of the Matilija poppy, Romneya coulteri, on a beautiful winter day at the Matson-Mowder-Howe Celebration Garden in Caldwell Park, Redding. We accomplished this feat in under two hours, as well as rooted out Himalayan blackberry with a Pulaski; teased out and removed the dormant and often invasive morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea; and tamed the tenacious volunteer California grapes, Vitis californica. Yo, with his assortment of fine, traditional Japanese gardening implements, pruned back the dormant grove of mugwort, Artemisia douglasiana.
There is a rumor that the Matson-Mowder-Howe Celebration Garden may be on the AAUW Garden Tour again this year! Let’s make the most of this gorgeous weather and get ahead of the weeds at the Garden before they go to seed. I know . . . weeding is not the most fun gardening activity, but it is necessary, especially for this iconic garden. We’ll also be spreading mulch to help prevent new weeds from sprouting, and we’ll take care of any other gardening as needed. Meet at the Matson-Mowder-Howe Celebration Garden in Caldwell Park this Friday, February 6, from 10 AM to noon. Please bring gloves, a bucket, and your favorite manual gardening implements (weeders, pruners, loppers, etc.).
Happy gardening! ~Doug Mandel
Photo by Margaret Widdowson, taken on June 17, 2011.