Come and Witness Water Conservation Practices for Home Gardeners at their Best!
UC Master Gardeners and Pacific Oaks Community Garden are creating a Water Conservation Garden and Educational Center for the home gardener. We are experimenting with new and old technologies to collect and save water to support in-ground, low-water-use gardens and grow vegetables in raised beds! The garden has been steadily evolving through an all-volunteer effort since the partnership began in 2022.
Monthly Work Parties in the Garden - Join Us!
Come see how we collect and use rainwater and solar power in the garden. On the second Saturday of every month we welcome you to join us in our work parties from 9:00 am through 12:00 pm. Stop by any time!
Scroll down for address and map.
Summer Speaker Series - Talks in the Garden
Saturday, July 25 - Gardening with CA Natives/Pollinator Gardens
11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Are you inspired to plant California natives but overwhelmed by all the choices? Do you want to embrace native landscaping? In this talk, we will present practical steps to select and arrange native plants for different growing conditions including various soil types, the amount of sun exposure, and planting in small spaces or containers.
Whether you're planning a native garden or incorporating natives into an existing landscape, this talk will empower you to choose plants suited to your garden.
Saturday, August 22 - Container Gardening: Edible Plants in Small Spaces
Description will be posted in early August
Saturday, September 26 - Seed Saving
Description will be posted in early September
Past Talks
Saturday, June 27 - Water Conservation Ideas in Action
Our Public Workshop Was Super Successful!
Make Your Own Self-Watering Planter
Saturday, May 30th
What are the benefits of self-watering systems?
- Self-watering systems use an average of 50% less water.
- The plants grow better when they have a constant water source.
- You don't have to water as often, so you have less work.
- Going on vacation? No worries about those veggies getting watered.
It's a win-win all around.
What did we learn?
A team of UC Master Gardeners provided instructions and a little of the science used to make these systems work. The tools and materials needed for this workshop were be provided. The participants went home with a lightweight planter ready to fill with soil, their choice of plants and, of course, water.
The planters were be made from recycled plastic livestock mineral tubs. These tubs were donated by a local goat-grazing service, called Goats ‘R’ Us. The knowledge gained in this workshop allows the participants to make self-watering planters from a variety of materials.
Was there a cost?
The workshop was free.
Check Out Our Self-Watering Planter Made from a Stock Tank!
In July 2025, we converted a galvanized stock tank into a sub-irrigated planter. We have a mockup of one on the site with all the materials.
Here is the HANDOUT from the 2025 public workshop.
We have self-watering planters, rain barrels, and cisterns aplenty. Come and discover with us!
ADDRESS OF THE GARDEN
7250 Portola Drive, El Cerrito
(former Portola Middle School)
Come up Moeser from San Pablo Avenue
Turn left at Navellier.
Turn left at Portola.
Have Questions?
Contact us at:
Pacific Oaks Community Garden
pacificoakscg@gmail.com