Preliminary design for the White Rock Community Garden. Courtesy/PEEC

White Rock Community Garden Gets Underway
By LAURIE HIXSON

Amid the howling winds that constitute a sign of spring in Los Alamos, a White Rock Community Garden is making progress toward reality.

The original site for the garden has been overtaken by the new public library that will be built in the next few years. But the garden has a new location – on N.M. 4 between Time Out Pizza and the arroyo.  It’s right across from the new Visitors’ Center parking lot, a much better site.

This one has everything we need, plus great visibility. There’s room for everything, plus parking and water and a gazebo and—what else should it have?

The new layout is shown in the attached diagram. Keep in mind that this is like the Demonstration Garden in Los Alamos, which is maintained by the Master Gardeners.

The difference is that the White Rock Community Garden will be maintained by us, the community. Both gardens demonstrate the types of plants that grow well in our area.

The County Parks and Recreation Department has helped with the design and agreed to help with the site preparation. The first order of business is to amend the soil by bringing in manure and tilling it into the various planting areas. Next comes laying out the irrigation system and pathways.  

The County will provide some asphalt millings left over from the N.M. 4 paving project to recycle for pathways. Finally comes the fun part–planting.

The goal is to start planting in June 2013. Instead of working one area at a time, the idea is to start small in each of the planting areas and expand as time goes by.

The garden has already received some donations of plants and money. Los Alamos National Bank set up an account; just ask to donate to the White Rock Community Garden account.

Stay tuned for future announcements and calls for volunteers. This is truly a community project. Pass the word around to interested gardeners. To join the list contact hixsons@comcast.net.

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of stories from the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) leading up to its annual Earth Day Festival set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.today at PEEC, 3540 Orange St., in Los Alamos.

This year’s Earth Day Festival will feature displays by community groups of their earth-friendly products and practices and their information about our environment on the Pajarito Plateau.

• Over 20 booths
• Food vendors
• Live entertainment by Clan Tynker and the Hill Stompers
• Kids activities, including “Walk Like a Wolf”, the “Mudpie Kitchen” and making miniature adobes with the Cornerstones Community Partnership.

Important Update: Park at Sullivan Field and ride a free Atomic City Bus to Saturday’s Earth Day event because LAHS parking lot will be full from three events being held at the school.

For more information about Earth Day, e-mail EarthDay@PajaritoEEC.org or visit EarthDay@PajaritoEEC.org