Second Quarter Newsletter – 2025

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

Second Quarter Garden Activities and Events

As spring blossoms into full bloom, we are thrilled to share our latest updates, events, and discoveries from our garden. This quarter has been filled with vibrant colors, new growth, and exciting construction activities.

Since the groundbreaking ceremony on July 31, 2024, the construction of our new visitor center has been a focal point at the garden. Watching each phase of this unique and stunning building come to life has been truly exciting. While the architect’s renderings were impressive, the actual structure is simply breathtaking. This amazing building will warmly welcome visitors for many years to come. It will feature a gift shop, a small office, and a conference room with a glass wall opening to a patio. We look forward to expanding our activities for all ages throughout the entire year!

The construction crew is also delighted to be working on this beautiful project. They have enjoyed the challenge of building a structure with numerous intersecting angles and unique architectural features crafted from concrete, steel, and glass. Their dedication and pride in their craft are evident as soon as you step inside the building. It is truly remarkable!

As construction enters its final phase, we are excitedly planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening, as well as a return to many traditional activities throughout the year. Additional funds are needed to fully complete this incredible project that will benefit the San Joaquin Valley. Remember, the garden is maintained 100% by volunteers and funded by donations from supporters like you! Be a part of something that will make our community a better place to live and visit! Please help by donating or sharing the following link: https://www.mygiving.net/campaign/Visitor-Center

President’s Message June 2025 – Anne Clemons, President

All eyes are on the visitor center as construction is nearing completion. The exterior is complete. Custom glass and cabinetry details remain inside. Then we need furnishings before we are ready to cut the ribbon and begin enjoying it. The ribbon cutting should be in September. Keep your eyes open for the date and join us for the celebration. The Visitor center has been the focus of most garden improvement activity with improvements to the maintenance area a close second.

We were asked about the status of Ethnobotany area, rightly pointing out that it was a long time coming. It has undergone a planning change. The original idea of plants was expanded to include some of the things the Indigenous peoples used to live. This idea will include the rest of the Native California plant area. Some additional earthwork is needed to achieve this. Most plants come from Intermountain Nursery, which was a reliable source for native plants. The sale of the nursery has limited opportunities to easily obtain plants. The bottom-line: Do not give up; it will happen!

Second Quarter Garden Activities and Events (Continued)

Second Quarter Construction Of The New Visitor Center

“Wine Walk In The Garden” – Fundraising Event

Garden Blooms

Poetry in the Garden!

Many thanks to Ree Coy for leading this creative activity and submitting the poetry for sharing in our newsletter!

Volunteer Opportunities at the Garden

The Clovis Botanical Garden has many opportunities for volunteers to work in the garden with a congenial crew you will enjoy getting to know. Colorful shade trees, bushes and plants line the pathways, as well as healthy weeds that need attention. Volunteers help the garden thrive, as they make friends and learn more about growing water conservation plants that grow beautifully in local landscapes.

You are invited to join the Gardening Crews on Thursdays, Fridays, and/or Saturdays in the morning from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Work hours are early to beat the heat, as the crew weeds and trims to keep the Garden looking at its absolute best.

Interested? Register online here to volunteer. You will be contacted to schedule the time of your volunteer work.

• Thursday Crew: Ree Coy, Supervisor
• Friday Crew (1ST & 2ND Fridays of each month): Lorie Hutzler, Supervisor
• Saturday Crew: Anne Clemons, Supervisor

Tips for Central Valley Gardeners: “Summertime Watering” By Elinor Teague

Summers here in the Central Valley are desert-like with very high day and nighttime temperatures and very low humidity. With the exception of unpredictable July monsoon rains (usually at the tail end of a hurricane), summer rainfall is essentially non-existent, and the very low humidity levels are as much a problem for gardeners as are the high temperatures.

Trees, bushes, and plants slow their growth, flower and leaf production during the hottest months. Root development also slows in summer. As evapotranspiration rates rise, the amount of water required to soak root systems increases and irrigation frequently must increase as well. Daily adjustments to automatic sprinkler system times and drip emitter flow systems should make it easier to keep plants well-watered in summer. However, those of us with older, simpler systems should plan on visually and manually checking soil moisture in root zones daily(with a finger in the dirt) when temperatures are above 95 degrees.

Be prepared to test out and maybe ignore advice on watering some types of plants. For example, it is often recommended to water succulents just once a week in summer, but when daytime temperatures remain higher than 95 degrees for days at a time as they do here in the Central Valley, succulents may need watering more often than once a week. Be observant of temperatures and plant conditions. Take notes on when or how many days between irrigation that plants begin to show signs of drought and heat stress, such as wilting and leaf scorch. Then adjust irrigation frequency as needed to minimize the damage.

Fourteen hours of direct sun in July will scorch most plants, especially annuals like summer vegetables and flowers with smaller, less-established root systems. Pots and containers get burning hot in the sun. Moving container plants into the shade for the duration of a hot spell is a good idea, as is using shade cloth and portable shade structures to provide afternoon shade for annual plants.

Summer Protection for Gardeners (From CBG’s Garden Volunteers Handbook)

Seek Shade

Harmful ultraviolet light exposure is greatest between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and less in the early morning and late afternoon. Experts recommend staying inside during those hours.

Wear a Hat

Protect your face, ears, neck, and the top of your head, with a hat that sports a wide brim to cover exposed skin. Try to find a hat with at least a 2-to 3-inch brim.

Wear Coverups

Avoid clothes that you can see light through. Remember: If light is getting through, then ultraviolet radiation is getting through too. The weave of your clothing is also important. The tighter the knit or weave, the smaller the holes and the less UV rays can get through. Some manufacturers provide extra-protective clothing with UPF labels (Ultraviolet Protection Factor), which indicate exactly what protection the clothing provides. For example, a shirt with a UPF of 45 lets in just 1/45th of the sun’s UV rays.

Apply Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen and protective lip balm with SPF 30 or higher every day to prevent sun damage. Look for a broad-spectrum formula, which protects from both UVA and UVB light.

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Board Members

Advisory Committee

Garden Consultant

• John Pape