Celebration Garden Work Day
February 15, 2025

Volunteers at MMHCG work day. D. Mandel.
Volunteers at the Matson-Mowder-Howe Celebration Garden maintenance session on February 15, 2025. From left to right: Jan Carter, Julie Twohig, Kris Shanley, and Steve Ganger. Photo © Doug Mandel.

We had a small but mighty group show up for the February 15 Matson-Mowder-Howe Celebration Garden maintenance session.  It was the perfect time to weed the soft ground, prune before the flush of spring growth and subsequent flowers, and spread arbor chips to add organic matter and mitigate for the coming hot summer.  The hundreds of poppy seedlings were meticulously weeded in preparation for a show-stopping display coming soon to this iconic garden.  Currently, the manzanita near the entrance is in full bloom, filling the air with the scent of honey, making a garden saunter just for this experience worthwhile. 

Since the Matson-Mowder-Howe Celebration Garden was selected for the May 10, 2025, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Garden Tour, we will schedule a few more sessions in the coming weeks to get ready to show off this amazing garden. If you would like to volunteer to help out during these work days, please contact me at info@gpnpn.org. Thanks! ~Doug Mandel

MMHCG pruned Matilija poppies. D. Mandel.
Results of Matilija poppy pruning on our January 10, 2025, Matson-Mowder-Howe Celebration Garden maintenance session. Photo © Doug Mandel.