March Cleanup/Planting Report

We had four volunteers come out today - Amanda, Elson, Liza and Luis - the same four who planted the back entryway plants back in December.

The main goal this month was to transplant most of the Hummingbird Sage that had been divided and growing in the pots since early December. Not only did no one steal any of the pots, but all but one of the potted divisions grew back nicely on their own! We placed these in areas 2 (the mostly-shaded area under the pepper tree) and 3 (where the Cleveland and White sages are growing and where the City ripped out most of an established Hummingbird Sage last month.

A Hummingbird Sage makes its new home.

There were about five Hummingbird Sages planted in areas 2 and 3. One of them was a rather large one, ready to flower, that had been growing in a 5-gallon pot. Luis planted it under the pepper tree. The removal of the weed barrier back in January was a smart move, as now the soil was much easier to dig (and better for the roots to grow now).

We actually had very little trash this month, which is always a good thing. Amanda took care of most of what was there.

We also attempted to sow some leftover California Golden Poppy seeds. Elson tilled the soil in Area 4 (East side of the Library property) and sprinkled the seeds across a 20-foot area.

Hopefully some CA Golden Poppies will grow here!

The biggest challenge is working with Rik Martino, the homeless resident who lives across from the Library, better known as "The Birdman of Silver Lake." But this is East Hollywood, and we also have our share of trash and blight here, so we're trying to make him understand that the leftover bread he leaves behind does nothing but attract more trash and blight to the neighborhood.

We did have success in telling him not to spread breadcrumbs and water containers on the low masonry wall that borders Area 3, and he abided.

Fortunately, we saw a sight today that, quite literally, represented the fruits of our labor.

A berry sweet addition to our garden!

It was the first Woodland Strawberry, growing in one of the Area 1 planters!

Just two months after we planted them there, it bore the first fruit!

Granted, these are tiny strawberries and probably not as tasty as the ones you'd find at the local farmer's market, but it's such a cool thing to see them grow up right here on Santa Monica Boulevard!