Octopus’s garden: Ocean Friendly Gardens

The Surfrider Foundation knows that healthy land ecosystems contribute to clean beaches and oceans.  Here on the Central Coast, sound shorelines translate into pleasant family outings, tourist dollars, and meaningful outdoor experiences.  Through its Ocean Friendly Gardens initiative, the Foundation encourages homeowners to become ocean stewards by adapting their yards and gardens.  Seeing as 1% of all marine pollution comes from surface runoff, adjusting personal habits can go a long way towards reducing the amounts of herbicides, pesticides, gasoline, refuse, and other harmful chemicals that enter the water.

To give your garden a little TLC, apply some CPR, or “Conservation, Permeability, and Retention”.  “Conservation” refers to the wise use of water, energy, and habitat through planting native vegetation.  “Permeability” allows for healthy, biologically active soil and paved surfaces that let rain and runoff percolate down into the water table.  “Retention” devices such as rain chains, water barrels, and gardens hold moisture through the dry seasons and can be saved for irrigation.  For an OFG Activist Toolkit, planting tips, and information on how you can transform your yard, visit the OFG Resources Page!

Join your fellow green thumbs this Saturday, April 21st for the Shell Beach Cliffside Garden Tour and Ocean Friendly Garden Celebration!  The tour will discuss designing with California Native and Mediterranean plants, integrating edibles into the landscape, composting and worm composting, earth ovens, rocket stoves, Biochar, permeable paving, and turf alternatives.  Come and learn how eating local and organic foods and caring for our rural and residential habitats can help heal ourselves and our planet.  What a wonderful way to kick off Earth Day weekend!

Space is limited and registration is required.  The tour will take place at 12pm, 1:30pm, and 4pm.  To reserve your spot, contact Rob Nieto at rbnieto@yahoo.com with your time preference and number in your party.  Confirmation and location will be given with the reply.