RIO AFTER 2 YEARS
The Rio plots were planted in the Fall of 2020. A class of landscape architecture students partnered with CA State Parks and a local group the Abuelas de Rio. After two years, we wanted to share some reflections on how they are doing and what we have learned.
Q&A with Jen Toy
Test Plot Lead, USC Lecturer
Test Plot Lead, USC Lecturer
Oct 06 2022
The Rio plots were planted in the Fall of 2020. A class of landscape architecture students partnered with CA State Parks and a local group the Abuelas de Rio. After two years, we wanted to share some reflections on how they are doing and what we have learned.
Q: Can we replicate Test Plots in other places?
Yes! our 2nd location at Rio has been very successful. It’s been a completely different process, site and community than at Elysian, so that is very exciting and we’ve learned a ton. For example, the site prep needed to change because Rio is urban fill as a former railyard (as opposed to the naturalized areas of Elysian). The Grow/kill strategy to flush out the weeds was not very successful at Rio b/c the ground was so compacted. We ended up removing bermuda grass, thistle, etc with pickaxes.
Q: What are your key lessons learned so far?
What challenges have you faced?
Yes! our 2nd location at Rio has been very successful. It’s been a completely different process, site and community than at Elysian, so that is very exciting and we’ve learned a ton. For example, the site prep needed to change because Rio is urban fill as a former railyard (as opposed to the naturalized areas of Elysian). The Grow/kill strategy to flush out the weeds was not very successful at Rio b/c the ground was so compacted. We ended up removing bermuda grass, thistle, etc with pickaxes.
Q: How did you adapt for different community needs?
- At Rio we work with a group of elderly Spanish speaking abuelas - with no email or social media. They come to the park in the morning for a walk and some gardening. It was difficult during the pandemic, but we’ve started to create a weekly time to meet on Monday mornings that is organized by Luis Rincon, a community engagement coordinator who works for CA State Parks.
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This site is also much sunnier and exposed and requires meeting earlier in the morning during the summer.
Q: What are your key lessons learned so far?
- Pioneer species taking off (Isocoma menziesii-- Goldenbush, Encelia californica -- CA Bush Sunflower).
- For the seed only plot, in the first year, seedlings of chia, black sage, lupines, buckwheat and annual wildflowers were present - from a mix that Theodore Payne made for us based on the historical riparian ecology. In 2nd year, the seed only plot was composed largely of Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum).
- Seed/plant combo plots more successful than seed only or plant only.
- Sheet mulch and thick layer of mulch (4-6”) has been effective at suppressing Bermuda grass, but it can still creep in from plot edges
What challenges have you faced?
- We watered almost every week for the 1st year (maybe too much? Huge growth quickly and found scale on some plants like Malosma)
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Baby oak and walnut trees (not in plots) died b/c not watered / trampled. Need better cues.
