Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden
Membership Application
Location: The 2/3 acre Garden is located in Polliwog Park on Peck Avenue, just north of Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Hours: Open to the public daily, 8:00 am until sundown Admission: Free
Volunteer: Every Friday from 9:30 - 11:30 am. No need to sign up, just drop in. This is the time when the garden is maintained. Appointments may be made for group projects on weekends. Non-gardening jobs are available as well. Contact Julie at the address posted at the bottom of this page.
Mission: Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden is a non-profit, all vounteer-run organization dedicated to promoting earth-friendly gardening techniques, encouraging the use of California native and drought-tolerant plants, and conserving our natural resources. The Garden is an outdoor classroom, providing a place of learning and enjoyment for the community.
Special Feature: Seven, two-foot
by three-foot state-park quality interpretive signs were installed in late
November of 2007. Together they offer an
educational self-guided tour through the garden covering topics such as California
Friendly Plants, Mulch and Compost, Water: Where it Comes From and Ways
to Conserve, Our Mediterranean Climate, Creatures of the
Garden, How to Create a Wildlife Habitat and Garden History. View an example of our signs on our blog below.
Community Participation: By saving water and promoting wildlife, earn your garden the MBBG SEAL OF APPROVAL. An attracative garden plaque can be earned by following these guidelines...
*Use plants adapted to this climate with low water needs
*Plant less than 25% turf
*Use mulch to prevent runoff and conserve water
*Provide food and shelter to promote wildlife
*Use a low water use irrigation system
If you think you qualify, contact us at Julie@manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org or 310 546-1354
The Garden's BLOG: http://www.manhattan-beach-botanical-garden.blogspot.com Thanks to volunteer Mimi Andersen, our blog has been the talk of the town. It includes photos, videos and updates on happening in the Garden. Join in by posting your thoughts, what critters you've seen, or plants that impressed you.
Fun, Free
& Educational Classes Will Return in Spring 2010
All classes meet at the MB Botanical Garden and are FREE, but prior registration is required for most. If the minimum number of sign-ups have not registered one-week prior to class, it may be canceled. Contact Julie to reserve a
spot at 310 546-1354 or Julie@manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org Leave your name, class
request, number of people attending and phone number when calling.
How MBBG fulfills its mission of resource conservation education:
1. Maintains a public demonstration garden which:
* Conserves fresh water by irrigating with reclaimed water, growing California native and drought-tolerant plants and using mulch to deter soil evaporation and weeds
* Minimizes contribution to the waste stream by recycling and composting green waste
* Attracts and accommodates local wildlife
* Is free of toxic chemicals and fertilizers
* Accommodates the public with ADA compliant pathways, a drinking fountain, and restrooms close by in Polliwog Park
2. Disseminates information about resource conservation, the Garden and local gardening projects and news via:
* Publications such as informational brochures and a bi-monthly newsletter The Gardener's Grapevine
* 7 educational interpretive signs providing a self-guided garden tour
* Website
* Formal garden tours
* Workshops and lectures
* Displays at events and local library
Handy Resources on Native Plants and Creating a Nature Habitat:
WEBSITES
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: www.bewaterwise.com
Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers
and Native Plants: www.theodorepayne.org
California Native Plant Society: www.cnps.org
California Landscape Contractors Association: http://www.clca.org/
BOOKS
California Native
Plants for the Garden By Carol Bornstein, David
Fross and Bart O’Brien
Designing California
Native Gardens By Glenn Keator and Alrie
Middlebrook
Western Garden Book By Sunset
Native Treasures By Nevin Smith
Care & Maintenance of Southern California Native Plant Gardens By Bart O'Brien, Betsey Landis, Ellen Mackey
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