Gardening with a Conscience
—from the san rafael volunteers newsletter—

When the Montecito Area Residents' Association decided to landscape several pie-shaped plots of land in their hilly neighborhood, they knew the plantings had to be drought resistant, deer resistant, low maintenance, and self-sustaining.

The first of the five triangle plots to be planted sits at the corner of Jewell and Park streets, measures approximately 200 square feet, and will become the test garden for this neighborhood-betterment project.  After weed clearing by the City Parks Department, the landscape architectural firm of Abey Arnold Associates volunteered design layouts for the individual locations, with suggestions for plants, boulders, and seating areas.

"I think when we are finished with this first garden, all of the residents will be interested in seeing the entire project completed," said Scott Kaplan, member of the Montecito Residents' Association Board.  The first work weekend took place July 26 and 27.

For more information on these environmental triangular gardens, contact Scott Kaplan at 453-8582.  If you have a suggestion for a beautification or betterment project in your neighborhood with which the Volunteer Program can help, please contact us at 485-3407 or e-mail Cory Bytoff.