Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden logo    

                                                     "Gardening is a way of showing that you believe in tomorrow."

LocationAbout UsPlantsVolunteerLinks

                                    

                                    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.

Themed areas: Bird and Butterfly Habitat, Meditation Garden, Children's Garden of Discovery,                               Wildflower Meadow, and Matilija Poppy Hillside 

           Features: Covered 30-seat Chevron Amphitheater, Plant ID signs, and an award winning                                "pondless waterfall".    

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.

MBBG on Zen Evolution TV:  Enjoy a short video and article describing the garden... http://www.zenevolution.tv/manhattanbeachgarden.htm   www.ZenEvolution.TV

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

   Wildscaping Your Garden: www.wildscaping.com

   Gardening for Songbirds, Hummingbirds & Butterflies:    http://www.wildscaping.com/pdfs/Wildscaping_plantlist_0705.pdf

   Theodore Payne Foundation for Wildflowers and Native Plants: www.theodorepayne.org

   Tree  of Life Nursery: www.treeoflifenursery.com

   Las Pilitas Nursery: www.laspilitas.com

   California Native Plant Society: www.cnps.org

   Local Audubon Society: www.lmconsult.com/pvaudubon/index-f.html

   Wild Birds Unlimited: www.wbu.com

   California Landscape Contractors Association: http://www.clca.org/

   Enviroscape: http://www.enviroponds.com/

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

  

 

      The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden                        P.O. Box 1156                Manhattan Beach, CA 90267

 


Copyright (c) 2006 Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden. All rights reserved.

Contact: Julie@manhattanbeachbotanicalgarden.org

We respect your privacy.