VERTICAL MULCH UPDATE
USC South Watt Plot / March 23 2023
This was a quick observation after the historic amounts of rain Los Angeles has received over the past two months. These observations were made around 12:30pm on a Thursday. A drone was used to take aerial shots of the plots and documentation of the flowering species was done.
USC South Watt Plot / March 23 2023
By Nina Weithorn
Test Plot Intern
Test Plot Intern
This was a quick observation after the historic amounts of rain Los Angeles has received over the past two months. These observations were made around 12:30pm on a Thursday. A drone was used to take aerial shots of the plots and documentation of the flowering species was done.
Weather
High of 54, low of 45 degrees Fahrenheight. Sunny for a change.
How are the plants doing?
The plants are all looking healthy and vibrant after the rain. The Diplacus aurantiacus, Heuchera rosada, and Lepechinia fragrans are all flowering.
What is Vertical Mulch?
Vertical mulching is a way to address soil compaction and allow for increased water infiltration into the root zones of plants. The process of vertical mulching involves digging a hole or trench at least 1 foot deep adjacent to plants and replacing the soil with wood chips. When water is poured into the vertically mulched area, it immediately reaches the deeper roots of established plants or encourages deep root growth of new plantings.
Field Notes
Maintenance
Plots could use weeding as non-native grasses reappear after th rain. Additional mulch could be applied, especially before the hotter upcoming months.
Action items
Ask campus irrigation to turn off sprinklers so we can control by hand watering.
NEW PLANTINGS
USC Bloom Walk / Feb 15 2023
In February we filled in some of the empty spaces in the USC Bloom Walk Test Plot. We selected additional species based on what was performing well in the plots and selected a couple of novel species that could be well adapted the shady and moist plot. New plants were marked with yellow flags. Some existing plants such as the Gambelia speciosa and Lepechinia fragrans are thriving and have grown substationally since their initial planting.
USC Bloom Walk / Feb 15 2023
By Nina Weithorn
Test Plot Intern
Test Plot Intern
In February we filled in some of the empty spaces in the USC Bloom Walk Test Plot. We selected additional species based on what was performing well in the plots and selected a couple of novel species that could be well adapted the shady and moist plot. New plants were marked with yellow flags. Some existing plants such as the Gambelia speciosa and Lepechinia fragrans are thriving and have grown substationally since their initial planting.
ADDED PLANTS
Achillea millefolium
Berberis aquifolium
Ceanothus hearstiorum
Eriogonum fasciculatum
Gambelia speciosa
Heuchera maxima
Polysitchum munitum
Ribes virbunifolium
Salvia mellifera
Solidago californica
Symphoricarpos albus
Achillea millefolium
Berberis aquifolium
Ceanothus hearstiorum
Eriogonum fasciculatum
Gambelia speciosa
Heuchera maxima
Polysitchum munitum
Ribes virbunifolium
Salvia mellifera
Solidago californica
Symphoricarpos albus
STARTING THE USC CAMPUS PLOTS
Q: How do we help a campus transition away from turf?
Q: How do we make native plants and sustainable, water-wise practices, practicable in an institutional setting?
Q: How we make the practice of testing and stewardship part of standard campus / landscape architecture practice?
Still thinking about this one....
![Original condition as unusable turf]()
Questions we’re thinking about / Spring 2022
By Alex Robinson
By Alex Robinson
Q: How do we help a campus transition away from turf?
- Identify areas of “non-functional turf” as places to start plots.
- Test a palette of plants that are easily found to purchase, are primarily evergreen or semi-deciduous, and can be maintained/trimmed to USC’s aesthetic standards
- Develop a Plant Suitability Framework for choosing other native plant species that have not been tested by the Test Plot team
- Work with facilities to understand needs, opportunities, existing efforts/maintenance regimes, and knowledge gaps
- Expand the existing Test Plot student employee role into 2 internship positions covering maintenance and monitoring
Q: How do we make native plants and sustainable, water-wise practices, practicable in an institutional setting?
- Work with existing Irrigation infrastructure
- Suitable palette for campus use and aesthetics
- Maintenance practices & personnel management
Q: How we make the practice of testing and stewardship part of standard campus / landscape architecture practice?
Still thinking about this one....
