Photo by Melania Mahoney
There is an Edenic feel to Sonoma Garden Park this time of year: fruit trees are a wash of vibrant pink and white blooms, birds are chattering, and there is a lush greenness in every direction. The landscape feels poised on the cusp of renewal, as if the natural world is holding its breath before spring’s full arrival. On a remarkably warm day in March, we caught up with garden park staff to learn about the many exciting things unfolding this time of year.
Sonoma Garden Park was originally the property of Pauline Bond, a Sonoma schoolteacher who gave the land to the City of Sonoma in 1977 with the agreement that it remain a public park. In 1993, Sonoma Ecology Center took over regular operations of the 6.1 acre piece of land, and over time have grown it from an empty lot to a jewel box of orchards, gardens and public gathering places.
It is inspiring to see just how many programs and projects are thriving here under the leadership of Manager Steve Carrara, who will soon be celebrating his 15th year at the park, and Assistant Manager Rebecca Kelly.
The native plant nursery has just undergone a major spring cleaning courtesy of SEC’s Restoration Team: shade cloth was repaired, moss that had accumulated over winter was removed, and general repairs were made to clean and prepare the nursery for production. Nursery staff member and Grizzly Corps Fellow Faith Shortridge shared that the recent warm weather has brought early blooms in the nursery, including to the California Pipevine, whose first blossoms serve as a harbinger for the return of the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly.
Photos by Austin Noble
The nursery grows an incredible variety of drought tolerant and pollinator-friendly plants. If you are looking to maintain or refresh your own gardens and landscapes this spring, don’t sleep on their native plant sales which are held every Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Sonoma Native Plant Nursery!
A new greenhouse for vegetable starts was recently finished, thanks to a generous grant from the Rotary Club, and is now growing a range of starts which will be sold to the community this spring for the very first time. Rebecca lights up talking about the exceptional quality of fruit and vegetables she and a dedicated team of volunteers are growing here, which rival anything you can find throughout the valley. This winter also marked the first season the garden grew an assortment of winter crops including lettuces, radishes, mustards, garlic, onions, kale, chard and spinach, an initiative spearheaded by Lead Volunteer Steve Albert.
With all the increased production and fertility in the garden, Faith, Rebecca and others are excited to build upon the success of the garden’s Saturday farmers markets this year. The Harvest Markets have returned, earlier than any previous year, and will continue every Saturday, 9:00 am-1:00 pm, through December. This year there will also be “you-pick” options for fresh raspberries and blueberries from newly planted berry patches.
There are many other opportunities this spring to enjoy the garden’s resources and deepen your connection to the land. Spring workshops will cover fruit tree care, composting, how to start a garden, and more—offering something for both seasoned growers and those just beginning. Explore our full Calendar of Events to find an upcoming workshop that speaks to you!
Photo by Melania Mahoney
The garden’s compost program is also thriving, guided by an expert soil scientist to ensure its quality and fertility. The composting workshop is a great opportunity to learn more about compost best practices for building healthy soil, and a reminder that the garden is a community compost hub where you can come to get local organic compost for your own garden instead of having to purchase it! Compost is available at Saturday Harvest Markets, or you can reach out to [email protected] to arrange a different pickup time.
Photo by Austin Noble
The recent warm weather has also brought a slew of new volunteers who are helping with planting, pruning, and cleaning up community garden plots in preparation for spring planting—the garden park would not be able to run without its devoted and hardworking volunteers. Dedicated “chicken team” volunteers have thoughtfully upgraded the coop, allowing the hens more space to roam while also strengthening protections against local wildlife. The flock has also welcomed several new layer hens, and with longer, sunnier days ahead, egg production will soon rise.
The garden park is also very excited to welcome kids back to the park for field trips this spring as part of 2nd through 6th grade Watershed Education Program and for upcoming Summer Science Camps beginning in June. It has also been a delight to have a parent and toddler program organically unfold in the playground—three times a week about 15 kids and their caretakers have been gathering in a self-led group to enjoy nature based play, learning, and even harvesting of fruits and vegetables, a reminder of the garden park’s role as a living classroom.
Children have also been enjoying new additions to the playground, notably the new water shower feature which will undoubtedly be a much desired spot on hot summer days to come. The majestic cypress tree trunk by the playground will also be outfitted with climbing pucks in time for kids to practice their climbing skills at camps this summer. And last but not least, monthly movie night in the garden will return in April and continue throughout the summer (follow @sonomagardenpark on Facebook and Instagram for updates).
Photos by Austin Noble
With so much blooming and happening in the garden, we hope to see you out there sometime this spring! If you are interested in volunteering, click the volunteer link below learn how you can join our incredible Sonoma Garden Park volunteer community and lend your skills to one of the many programs and initiatives happening at the park, from the chicken team to Harvest Markets!