1ST Quarter 2023: In the Garden

Garden Mission

To promote water conservation in the California Central Valley landscape through excellent gardens, exhibits and programs that educate and inspire the public.

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Upcoming Events

Wow, we have not had a Spring like this in ages! According to weather reports, the precipitation accumulation in the Central Valley region is on track to compare with the other two wettest historic years on record (1968-69 and 1982-83) and approximately 190%+ of the yearly average. Evidence was certainly visible in the garden with flooded pathways that required several days of closure for the public safety. Those were not the “water features” we planned!

Shrubs, trees, and the portable Gift Shoppe unit near the garden entry have been removed to prepare for construction of the new Visitor Center. Plans have been submitted to Clovis City agencies for review and approval. Once a building permit is issued, we will have a Groundbreaking Ceremony to celebrate a new beginning with community supporters of the garden. Food and music will be provided following the lunchtime ceremony. Stay tuned for the date!

Unless weather or construction activities make the garden unsafe for visitors, it will be open according to the usual schedule. General hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday (closed Mondays and Tuesdays).

Other Events of Interest

Saturday, April 1st A presentation by the architect of the CBG Visitor Center

Architect Arthur Dyson will present a Power-Point Talk – “Touching the Soul: The Poetics of Architecture.” The event will be in the Bonner Auditorium of the Fresno Art Museum on Saturday, April 1st at 4:00 PM. As our architect, Art will include the design of our new Visitor Center in his presentation! The event is free to museum members, $10 for non-members. Seating is limited and there are no advance reservations.

Saturday, April 22nd – “Spring Fling on the Kings’

The Kings River Conservancy will host the annual “Spring Fling on the Kings” on April 22 from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the Lapp River House in Sanger (26210 Elwood, Sanger, 93657). Entrance to the event is free! Activities include kayak and fly-fishing demonstrations, boat safety talks, photo contest, raffle, taco truck, live music, adult beverages, and fun river activities.

For more information contact Kingsriverconservancy.org or call 559-787-9500.

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1st Quarter Garden Update

Tribute

A memorial plaque was placed on a bench as a tribute to Valerie Lee, who painted the benches, stones, and many other artistic items in the garden. Valerie was a devoted member of the garden and was named 2020 Volunteer of the Year.

Grass Display Area

A new garden area is being established to demonstrate the variety of ornamental grasses suitable for drought-tolerant gardens. John Pape designed the new “Grass Display Area” and has been instrumental in overseeing all activities to make it a reality. Many thanks to John, as well as Perry & Ree Coy, Anne Clemons, Rodger Pachelbel, Ken Aldrich, Aaron Aldrich, Lorie Hutzler, Elida Oraze, Connor Oakes, Paula Johnson, Vicki Cheney and Vickie Rotalo-Holbrook for assistance with planning, irrigation installation, planting, and weeding the new garden area!

White Tent Area

The white tent canopy did not survive this quarter’s high winds and heavy rains, leaving only the metal framework in place. That too will be removed, and plans are in progress to move the green canopy to that location.

Fresno Home and Garden Show

CBG had a booth at the Home and Garden Show again this year. Many people stopped by to let us know how much they appreciate and enjoy the garden – or that they didn’t even know the garden existed! We truly are the “hidden gem” of the Clovis/Fresno area, and it’s always a delight to share the focus on the garden and invite the community to visit. Many thanks to all the volunteers who staffed the booth, and to Jeannette Warnert who did a fantastic job organizing everyone!

Portable Hand-Washing Station

The Clovis Rotary funded the purchase of a portable handwashing station, which was installed by the cargo bin and porta-potty. Their support is greatly appreciated and a plaque recognizing their support has been installed.

Visitor Center Update

The physical groundwork for construction of the new Visitor Center has begun. The Gift Shoppe unit and shrubs/trees near the garden entrance have been removed. The Board is waiting for the Clovis Planning Department to approve the plans, and the contractor to provide a cost estimate. Then, we can apply for a building permit. A temporary office space has been rented for the Clovis Botanical Garden at 516 Villa Avenue #28, Clovis, 93612

Donations to support the new Visitor Center are always greatly appreciated!

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Memory Lane

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Welcome to our New Members!

Members of CBG receive a membership card, a monthly newsletter, a digital subscription to Better Homes & Gardens, and free admission to many public gardens in California and around the country through the American Horticulture Association Reciprocal Admissions Program.

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Below is a just a sampling of the gardens in California where CBG members receive free admission

See all gardens around the nation and abroad that provide reciprocal admission at ahsgardening.org

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Tips for the Central Valley Gardener: “Rainy Spring Gardening”

By Elinor Teaque

It is a rare spring in the Central Valley when the soil is too soggy to plant or to amend. Our spring/summer planting and transplanting season will be delayed a few weeks this year. One major consequence of delayed planting will be a shorter period of the milder springtime temperatures that allow root systems to become established before hot spells arrive. Summer vegetables and annuals may require extra irrigation this year, and irrigation timers may need to be adjusted to provide longer watering times or to allow for twice daily irrigation when temperatures are really high. Plan on monitoring soil moisture levels frequently and irrigating or hand watering new plantings and seedlings when the top inch or two of soil has dried.

As we wait out a cold, wet spring, we can check our gardens for spots that have poor drainage and make plans to amend those spots as soon as the soil is dry enough to add amendments. Till in compost or humus when the soil has had a chance to dry out to fill in low spots and to loosen and restructure compacted soils.

Many drought-tolerant plants are showing the effects of having had their roots stand in soaking wet soil for several months. Roots actually suffocate from a lack of oxygen in saturated soils and are also susceptible to increased problems caused by fungal pathogens that proliferate in wet soils. Lavenders and rosemary are particularly prone to root problems in even slightly damp soil. It’s best to replace those plants that have shown symptoms of root rot including wilting and chlorosis or yellowing leaves or blackened foliage. The soggy soil in containers can be removed now and the pots refilled with fresh potting soil. If you’re planning on reusing the old potting soil in the garden, allow it to dry thoroughly in the sun to sterilize the old soil before adding it to planting beds or new pots.

A Message from President, Anne Clemons

Wow! We’ve had lots of rain and lots of weeds this quarter. The rain reduced the time that volunteers were able to come to the Garden, so keeping up was more difficult.

Visitor Center plans are working their way through the Clovis Planning Department. The rental CBG office/gift shop was returned on February 3rd. Moving it was quite a sight to behold. The garden entry area will look like a big empty space for a while. Plan to attend the groundbreaking party when the building permit is issued.

Thanks to all who helped with the ornamental grass area – weeding, planting, and installing irrigation. It’s rewarding to see a new area created, and we’re doubly happy to have the rainfall for it.

We will miss the Spring Plant Sale this year. Keep your fingers crossed that construction will be complete, so we can have the Fall plant sale. A few plants are for sale on the white rack near the nursery area.

Happy Spring, Everyone!