Blackie's Garden
 In the early 1990’s the entrance to Blackie’s Pasture was a
mud hole in winter and a dust bowl in summer. It was pretty much
an informal parking lot for people who came to walk by the Bay.
A group of volunteer townspeople who called themselves Blackie’s
Brigade had the idea of turning the area into a grand park, but
each time the plan was submitted to the town, it was turned down
due to lack of funds.
The Tiburon Peninsula Foundation raised some funds to create
Blackie’s Garden, a landscaped beautification project at the
entrance to the Blackie’s Pasture by the multi-use path. Volunteers
from Tiburon and Belvedere pitched in to help. One volunteer
offered to donate some plants. Another plowed the ground. Someone
else brought a load of compost. Blackie’s Garden was on the way
to becoming a reality.
In 1995 Harvey Rogers, a local Master Gardener, caught wind
of the project and expressed interest in helping. It wasn’t long
before he’d organized a band of volunteers comprised of other
Master Gardeners, gardening enthusiasts, and good hearted people
who wanted to pitch in and help. Taking the natural environment
and water conservation in mind, they developed a theme for the
garden that utilized native plants. Over the years this group
of volunteers has given the garden their creativity, regular
and ongoing care, and loving attention. In 1997 a bronze plaque
was placed in the garden honoring major donors and significant
volunteers.
Blackie’s Garden Today
- Over 2,500 native plants are in the garden, offering a variety
of colors and long bloom times.
- Plants are chosen because they are native, deer resistant,
drought resistant, have a long blooming period, display colorful
blooms, are of an appropriate size, and love sun (there is
no shade!).
- A good water management irrigation system has been put in
place.
- Most of the plants are drought tolerant. Some need no summer
water!
- In the hot months we need to supplement the drip system with
volunteers who water once a week by hose.
- We weed frequently (by hand), although mostly during the
rainy season.
- This is all volunteer work – about 80% Marin Master Gardeners and
20% interested citizens of Belvedere and Tiburon.
CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF PLANTS CURRENTLY IN BLACKIE'S GARDEN
|
