Native Plant Watering - New Pollinator Habitat Areas  - Sunset Vista Natural Area (1323 W 57th St)

Saturday, 07 October 2023 @ 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM

Volunteer Opportunity  -  Mixed Ages

Volunteers are needed to help water plantings in two new habitat areas created this spring at Sunset Vista to benefit pollinator species. Volunteers will check moisture level and water plants if needed (see full instructions below). Temporary water storage containers are at each planted site. First-time volunteers who would like training should email Kathy Maher at [email protected] at least one day prior to the scheduled watering date to coordinate a meeting time. Separate watering instructions for each planting area are provided below. This project is made possible by funding from the People & Pollinators Action Network and assistance from the Colorado Native Plant Society. TRIANGULAR GRAVEL GARDEN (adjacent to historic stone structure/picnic area, best for 1-2 volunteers): WHEN TO WATER: Before 10 am or after 4 pm to allow better absorption and reduce evaporation. If there was significant rain the day before, skip this day, and email Kathy at [email protected] to report that watering was not needed. WHAT TO BRING: Gardening gloves for pushing gravel around with your hands. Optional: a small digging tool (trowel, dibbler, garden knife or even an old spoon) just for pushing gravel around; not for digging. Optional: Your favorite watering can/vessel. City-provided watering cans are bungie-corded to the water storage tank for volunteer use. Please re-secure the watering cans after using them. HOW TO GO ABOUT IT: FIRST - check the gravel near a new plant to see if you need to water that day: Choose a spot 6-8" from the base of a plant where you won't disturb roots and, using your fingertips or a tool, pull the gravel back to make a small hole in the gravel ~2 inches deep. Do not dig into the soil below the gravel and be careful not to mix soil into the gravel. Look for moisture or feel the gravel at the bottom of the hole with a bare finger or two. If the gravel 2” down is wet or moist, do not water. Refill the hole with gravel, smooth the top of the gravel, and email Kathy at [email protected] to report that watering was not needed. If the gravel 2” down is dry, close the hole and smooth the top of the gravel, and water ALL the plants in the plot as follows: - Pour water slowly and gently into the gravel near the base of each plant for about 10 seconds, soaking a circle around the plant with a radius of about 6 inches. The water has to penetrate all 4” of gravel and at least the top inch of soil in order to make plant roots reach deeper. - If young children are helping, it would be best to have them water plants on the perimeter. - Please keep any accompanying dogs off the newly planted plot. WETLAND STRIP (east of bridge near intersection with Long View Trail, best for 2-3 volunteers): WHEN TO WATER: Before 10 am or after 4 pm to allow better absorption and reduce evaporation. If there was significant rain the day before, skip this day, and email Kathy at [email protected] to report that watering was not needed. WHAT TO WEAR & BRING: Wear: Long pants and closed shoes. You may need to traverse high grass and sedges. Bring: Gardening gloves and a small digging tool (trowel, dibbler, garden knife). Optional: A watering can or empty milk jug, just in case. A watering can and empty milk jug are kept inside the temporary water barrel so a volunteer can fill and carry two vessels at time and make fewer trips to and fro. Volunteers watering in teams should bring enough watering vessels for their group. Please re-secure the watering can and milk jug in the barrel after watering. HOW TO GO ABOUT IT: FIRST - check the soil near a new plant to see if you need to water that day: Choose any flagged plant in the “row” closest to the sidewalk. Find (or make) a weed-free spot 6-8” from the base of the plant where you won't disturb roots and, using your digging tool, make a small, 1-inch deep hole in the soil. Feel the soil at the bottom of the hole with a bare finger or two. If the soil 1” down is wet or moist, do not water. Refill the hole and email Kathy at [email protected] to report that watering was not needed. If the soil 1” down is dry, refill the hole and water ALL the flagged plants in the plot as follows: - Pour water slowly and gently into the soil near the base of each plant for 6-8 seconds, soaking a circle around the plant with a radius of about 6 inches. If you see run-off instead of water soaking in around the plant, please use your digging tool to make a small, circular or semi-circular berm about 6 inches from the plant’s stem to trap water. The water has to penetrate several inches to be available to roots and to make plant roots reach deeper. - Watering the entire strip will use almost all the water in the barrel. - If you are unable to finish watering all the plants, please email Kathy Maher at [email protected] to let her know; another volunteer will pick up where you left off. QUESTIONS? Contact Kathy at [email protected] or Debbie at [email protected]

Participants Registered: 0
Volunteers Registered: 1 (4 available)