The New Year has had a wet and stormy welcome in our corner of Marin; water is such an important part of the story of these gardens, our team keeps a close eye on the forecast and on the water levels all around us in all seasons.
The report from Garden Manager Michael Bogart is a good one, not quite a week into 2023. The high winds that came tearing through earlier this week did not cause any major damage to our tree canopy, and while Kittle Creek, which runs through the grounds, came close to overflowing its banks twice, it never quite spilled over.
The Garden Team does their best to catch and remove any debris from the creek, so our downstream neighbors are minimally affected, and obstructions don’t cause flooding.
We regularly measure water levels both in the creek and in our well, located near the Habitat Pond at one of the lowest points of the grounds. Our well water supply is looking good—we rely heavily on it during the dry summers, even as we have been shifting our planting strategy to use fewer thirsty varieties, and focus on hardy plants that are adapted to seasonal drought.
Wet weather does have its drawbacks. We tend to washed-out paths quickly to keep them safe and accessible for visitors, and our facilities team is always on the lookout for leaks and seepage in our historic buildings.
We invite you to take a stroll when it’s wet; birds and other wildlife are as active as ever and easier to spot when the leaves are off many of the trees. With the right gear, you can enjoy the gardens in the rain, and appreciate the special beauty of this season.
