Shasta Chapter CNPS and the North Valley Art League (NVAL) teamed up for a Matson-Mowder-Howe (MMH) Celebration Garden workday on February 21, 2020–a perfect afternoon to be outside. Sarah Jarrett (CNPS) and Sue Mandel (NVAL) co-led the sprucing up of the garden, which of course started with coffee and snacks. Sarah wrangled a hard-working, three-person crew from the McConnell Foundation, who showed off their talent with a power hedger and a pole chainsaw. Shirley Martin lent her pruning expertise to the native plant section of the MMH Garden. Sue and John (NVAL) battled and I think conquered the ubiquitous weeds, at least for the day. Doug Mandel scoped out the four-valve irrigation system and repaired the major leaks. Sarah topped off her efforts by strategically spreading a mound of wood chips. It is amazing how good a garden looks with a nice layer of wood-chip mulch. Margaret Widdowson arrived from a well-attended Shasta Chapter CNPS bryophyte workshop and joined the weeding brigade and discussions about future garden plans.
The symbiotic relationship between CNPS and NVAL includes holding future maintenance events, nurturing the present plants (winners of Survival of the Fittest), obtaining propagules for the CNPS nursery and plant sales, and outplanting hardy native plants from CNPS. Since the irrigation system is under constant attack by ground squirrels, vandalism, and Father Time, these future plants will require getting the right plant in the right place, planting at the optimal time, and delivering some extra compassion for the first couple of years. The NVAL has access to lots and lots of wood chips, which will help cut down on weeds, irrigation, and evapotranspiration. The afternoon was so much fun that darkness and a nip in the air chased everyone home. -Doug Mandel