The new Gehringer California native plant demonstration garden in Concord is now open to the public! It’s located in the public walking space outside the Gehringer Community Garden, at 1790 Lynwood Dr. in Concord. It demonstrates the versatility and adaptability, and survivability of California natives. The community and local dignitaries attended the launch of the new garden on April 4th. The UC Master Gardeners Program of Contra Costa County hosted the event.
Interest in California native plants has grown rapidly during the past ten years. The Gehringer Community Garden demonstrates low water natives that grow well in our area, attract and support local wildlife such as pollinators and birds, and provide an attractive landscaping option for home gardens, public spaces, and commercial properties.
Concord Chamber of Commerce CEO, Kevin Cabral, Concord City Councilperson, Carlyn Obringer, Janessa Oriol, the District Director for Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, and Contra Costa UC Master Gardener Program Coordinator, Dawn Kooyumjian were on hand to cut the ribbon. UC Master Gardener volunteer docents led walkthroughs of the new garden and answered plant, irrigation, and maintenance questions. An ‘Ask a Master Gardener’ booth was staffed to provide general gardening advice and handouts as well as free California Native flower seed packets for the public to take home.
Contra Costa UC Master Gardener volunteer, Phil Quinlan, whose original vision turned into the CA Natives Demo Garden, had thoughts the night before that no one would show up. Boy, was he wrong! Local dignitaries were joined by a large number of local community members and fellow Master Gardeners.
“Their support and appreciation meant a lot to the team and me,” says Phil. “It was like the Field of Dreams movie - ‘Build it and they will come’. The community came to the launch in droves and continues to visit.”
The new garden was designed and installed by UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa County in partnership with the Gehringer Community Garden. The project began three years ago when Phil approached Gehringer Community Garden management with the idea of converting a weed-choked public walking path adjacent to the Gehringer Community Garden into a lovely space highlighting California natives.
After digging out unsightly weeds, a drip irrigation system was built, then three different areas were planted to demonstrate sun-loving native plants, shade-tolerant varieties, and special natives that tolerate the harsh growing conditions of the roadside parking strip. A park bench and information kiosk were installed for the public to educate visitors more about California native plants and their growing characteristics. The demonstration garden is open every day of the year.
Dawn Kooyumjian says, “We now have demonstration gardens across the county showing many aspects of gardening: growing fruits and vegetables, small space gardening, low-water gardening and firewise best practices. The UC Master Gardener Gehringer Demo Garden is our first showcasing California native plants appropriate for Contra Costa County. Located along a public pathway, visitors can stroll past and read the descriptive signs and kiosk information at their leisure. They can see over time how a native garden evolves. It highlights the year-round beauty of California native plants.”
Phil adds, “Going forward, we hope the public enjoys the beauty of the native plants and understands the local wildlife they support. We also hope folks will be inspired to learn more about the importance of native plants, and to host more California natives in their own gardens. Then we’ll truly have met our goals.”
Congratulations to the development team of Contra Costa UC Master Gardener volunteers, Phil Quinlan, Anna Wendorf, Dorothy Abeyta, Bennet Berke, Jim Breuner, Bruce Dresser, Karen Goodwin, Robin Harper, Allison Thomas, and Liz Whiteford. For more information about the UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County, the Gehringer Community Garden, or California natives, visit these online sites:
https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardener-program-contra-costa-county
https://www.facebook.com/gehringercommunitygarden/
https://calscape.org/