Debs — Test Plot Log

SPRING AT DEBS

Field Notes / March 10 2023
By Adrian Tenney
Debs volunteer, Terremoto designer

Arriving early before there is any direct sun on the plots, but when there are lots of birds chirping and fluttering about. As the sun slowly creeps up and covers the shrubs in light I can see them all reaching for the sky and opening their spring blossoms. The spring is the most exciting time to visit - everything is fresh from the rain, and not yet dry from the excessive heat.

What is the update on your work?

We have planted 4 sections
Rabbits and other animals have eaten some things like the Buckwheat
A few plants have been removed
Overall everything is doing really well
We planted lots of things in gopher cages that were handmade, so the cages go about 12” above ground
March 3 we cut the wire away from some of the plants that had started growing through their cages

Did you sheet mulch?

One of our 4 sections was sheet mulched with cardboard and mulch. So far it has been really successful in keeping the weeds at bay.

What are you learning?

Test Plot became an extension to Audubon center’s restoration work in Debs Park. It also provided a physical location for students (New Village Girls Academy) to experience hands-on learning by planting native plants and getting their hands in the soil.
There’s a lot of value in being invited into an existing community organization because we were able to connect with students we wouldn’t have otherwise had a link to.
Audubon had established resources including nursery/ locally sourced seeds, tools, mulch and a volunteer list that we were able to access.
Coordinating between multiple groups for the volunteer events

Establishing regular volunteer maintenance schedule

Successes & failures so far?

Still pretty early to tell
We planted some shade-tolerant plants under a SNAG (dead tree) that has since been removed to our surprise, so we will see if those understory plants can survive the summer
The Elderberry is growing more slowly than expected
The Toyons and Sages are growing fast
Some of the nice labels installed have been kicked around by the public

Wildlife?

Lots of birds!
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