Gathering the Web

Rocks for my Garden

I love collecting rocks for my garden. I find river rocks along the shoreline in Imperial Beach. They drift north from the Tijuana River. They come in many colors-red, blue, green, gray, gold, terra cotta, and aqua. When we had a car, I loaded bags with the rocks. Now I just pick up what I can carry in my backpack. I don’t get carried away or I’ll hurt my back.

Our soil is clay and loaded with rocks. It’s hard work to uncover the rocks, but I like using them to line my garden. At first, they don’t look so lovely. After they’ve been in the sun awhile, they start taking on a character all their own. I like them. I’ve dug up some good sized boulders. If I purchased that size at a garden center, they would be worth a fortune. Still, I would like some even bigger ones…rocks that cost several hundred dollars each.

My Grandmother was a collector…big time. One of her collections was beautiful rocks. When she died, we brought some of the rocks to our house. They are the prettiest in the garden. My absolute favorite is lost under the shrubs that grew around it. I need to haul it out, so we can see it. It’s too pretty to hide.

Several years ago, my Mom and I saw a big pile of rocks that someone had abandoned along the side of the road. They were gorgeous. We wanted to take them home with us, but weren’t positive it was within our rights to do so. Next time we went that way, the rocks had vanished.

A Spring Garden Festival in San Diego
Sign on San Diego has a photo of a beautiful rock garden at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College. Also, today’s paper has an article about attracting butterflies to your garden. It includes a photo of a rock garden at the Water Conservation Garden. Next weekend, the garden will host a Spring Garden Festival. Admission is free. The garden is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., some holidays excepted. This page has driving directions.

My family enjoyed a trip to the San Diego Wild Animal Park, last Monday. The Baja Garden, at the farthest and highest corner of the park, was my favorite attraction. Griff (my brother) and I took a hike up that way. We also took our time at the California Native Plants Garden, which is in the same area. For a change, I remembered my camera. I was able to take the photos on this page. The rest of my family went to an animal show and saw some other exhibits, which they enjoyed. In my opinion, those who stay in the lower section of the park miss the loveliest scenery.

Balboa Park has a cactus and succulent garden. I’m anxious to take some photos on my next visit. Mom and I are due to take a bus ride to the park. We should choose a day when there’s a plant show and sale. Balboa Park is often the site of plant sales. The cactus and succulent sale is my favorite and I’ve added to my collection several times. I’m usually aware when there’s a native plant sale. I haven’t had a chance to go to one yet. Hopefully… soon! Many of the native plants at the Wild Animal Park were blooming. I would be happy to add them to my garden.

Griff has a home with lots of acreage. He’s taken out most of his water hungry avocado trees and is letting native plants grow in their place. He wants plants that can survive on San Diego’s minimal rainfall. He enjoyed the Baja Garden and California Native Plants Garden, as much as I did. There are a lot of beautiful native plants that thrive in San Diego. They are actually more lovely than the imported plants, because they are growing in their proper habitat. You have to work harder to make non-native species survive. With a native plant garden, you are more likely to attract beneficial wildlife of all kinds. The birds will flock to your yard. They will love you for it. You’ll also notice more butterflies and honeybees. Your garden will be alive.