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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPipeline 02 - Summer 2024T H E O T AY W ATER DISTRICT • P R OUDLY SERVING E A ST C OUNT Y AND TH E S OUTH B A Y SINC E 1956 A NE W SLETTE R FOR CUSTOMERS OF T HE O TAY WATER DISTRICT SUMMER 2024 Dedicated to Community Service FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT CALL (619) 670-2222 OR GO TO OTAYWATER.GOV The Pipeline Newsletter is published quartely by the Otay Water District and can also be found online at otaywater.gov. Copywright ©2021 Otay Water District. All rights reserved. An Oasis in Your Own Backyard… Visit the Water Conservation Garden! The Water Conservation Garden covers all aspects of water-smart gardening for Southern California. It is a learning laboratory for the passionate gardener and a delightful place for an afternoon stroll, reading, yoga, or bringing your pup. Located at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon’s Rancho San Diego community, the Garden serves to educate and inspire through exhibits and programs that promote the sustainable use of natural resources. Constructed in 1999, it has nearly six acres of themed gardens and displays that showcase water conservation. It also features a native butterfly pavilion in the spring and summer. The Garden is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It also offers “Free Day Friday” and docent-led tours on the second Friday of every month. Its recently refurbished “Gifts from the Garden” gift shop allows visitors to discover one-of-a-kind crafts, art pieces, and garden treasures. Its re-established wellness program offers chair yoga, sloth yoga, and gentle garden yoga. Participate by dropping in or through a membership, which includes wellness classes and discounts to yoga retreats. Water-saving desert tortoise ambassadors, Tank, Bernie and Mr. Peabody, also hang out at the Garden. During prolonged droughts, they retreat to burrows and reduce their metabolism. The Garden operates thanks to support from its memberships, donations, grants, facility rentals, plant sales, gift shop, and its Joint Powers Authority’s (JPA) dues. Five of the JPA’s member agencies, including the Helix and Otay Water districts, Sweetwater Authority, San Diego County Water Authority and City of San Diego, have helped fund the Garden and cover estimated bare-bones operations to keep it open. After a temporary closure, the Garden was reopened to the public in February. The JPA agreed to takeover operations from the nonprofit group, Friends of the Water Conservation Garden. The JPA, a 501c3, had operated the Garden before the Friends Board was established. Interim Executive Director Lauren Magnuson and Facilities Manager Tim Townsley have been retained to continue running the Garden along with volunteers, while additional funds are pursued to restore programs such as the Ms. Smarty Plants education program. Magnuson said she is “thrilled” that the Garden is “in bloom again.” “I couldn’t fathom the thought of shutting this beautiful resource down, especially after all the success the Garden has had,” says JPA Chair Mark Robak. “I believe, along with the rest of the JPA, that short term through a few staff and volunteers, the Garden can continue to serve the community and provide wonderful ideas and spaces for the community to enjoy until we have our longer-term plan.” The Garden is always looking for volunteers, who are the backbone of its achievements. From digging in the dirt to sprucing up exhibits, giving tours, or just chatting it up with guests, there is something for everyone. Volunteers have helped reopen the gift shop and could potentially help write grants, teach classes, and more. To become a volunteer, please email volunteer@thegarden.org. While a long-term plan is still in the works, we encourage you to visit the Garden! More details at thegarden.org. Join the Garden for the Event of the Year!Celebrating 25 Years of Service to the Community SAVE THE DATE for an unforgettable, FREE celebration packed with fun and inspiration. Connect with fellow community members, dedicated volunteers, passionate staff, and supporters who’ve helped this East County treasure thrive. Saturday, November 9, 2024 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. thegarden.org Career Opportunities at Otay San Diego County’s future depends on water, and the Otay Water District depends on the skills and dedication of its employees to provide a safe, reliable water supply to the residents and businesses in the southeastern portion of the region. If interested in joining our team at Otay, we are hiring for the positions of Utility Worker, Reclamation Plant Operator, and others. Veterans and transitioning military are encouraged to apply. Depending on the position, the District may accept applications continuously to establish an eligibility list. Otay’s Water Quality Report is Available The Otay Water District, once again, met the federal and state water quality standards during calendar year 2023. The annual Consumer Confidence Report for is available in English and Spanish. To request a printed copy, call (619) 670-2222, email info@otaywater. gov, or visit 2554 Sweetwater Springs Blvd, Spring Valley, CA 91978. To view the report online, visit otaywater.gov/ ConsumerConfidenceReport. Rebate Spotlight: New Tree Incentive! SoCal Water$mart is now offering rebates on trees for new applicants of the Turf Replacement Program, which offers at least $2 per square foot to replace existing grass. Eligible applicants will receive $100 per tree installed, for a maximum incentive for up to five trees ($500), in addition to the turf replacement incentive. The tree rebate is NOT a stand-alone incentive. You must first apply and qualify for the Turf Replacement. Visit otaywater.gov/conservation-programs. otaywater.gov/job-opportunities Stay Alert Against Scams Customers have reported unsolicited door hangers or visits by individuals posing as Otay Water District employees asking to test their water. Their intention may be to sell a water-filtration device. These individuals are NOT District employees. If an Otay employee needs to work on a customer’s property in an emergency or if scheduled in advance, they will carry an identification badge and drive a vehicle marked with an Otay logo. If ever in doubt, call (619) 670-2222. For more information, visit otaywater.gov/avoid-utility-scams. Nan Sterman is a garden expert, author, designer, and educator. Nan leads international garden tours, is the author of several books, and hosts the show A Growing Passion on KPBS TV, waterwisegardener.com Nan StermanWaterwise Gardener Create Hot Pots for Your Garden Short on space? Looking for a way to jazz up your garden? Have a collection to display? Sounds like it’s time for a container garden. Container gardens add dimension, depth, structure, and architectural interest to any outdoor space. A boring patio gains instant charm when you add a cluster of gorgeous pottery. Pots can help protect cherished plants from enthusiastic pups, digging cats, and hungry gophers. They create garden spaces where planting in the ground simply isn’t an option. The sheer variety of pot color, texture, shape, and size means there are containers for every taste and style. Your goal is to avoid the cacophony of mixed-up plants in a jumbled assortment of pots. Here’s how:• Start with what you have — favorite plants that need new homes, or pots that fit your space and need plants. Don’t try to do both at once. • Wherever you start, create an intentional looking collection by going with pots in a single-color family for each area of your garden. The best color compliments the surrounding architecture, hardscape, outdoor furniture, etc. So, if your theme is blue pots, for example, go for pots in shades from teal to cobalt. • For formal gardens, buy identical pots and arrange them geometrically. • For informal settings, opt for clusters of odd numbered pots — three, five, etc. — in similar colors but different shapes, sizes, and patterns, gloss, or matte glazes. Add terra cotta pots as well; these “blue jeans” of pots complement every color. • Buy pots one or two sizes larger than you have in mind. Bigger pots – and bigger plants - make a bigger impact. Remember that empty pots look much bigger at the store than they’ll look in your space. Plus, plant roots need room to grow. • Any waterproof container that accommodates drain holes and supports plant roots can serve as a trashcan, an old boot, a vintage toolbox, etc. • Don’t be shy about choosing plants that grow large, though start with smaller ones and wait for them to grow. • One plant per pot is okay. Multiple plants per pot is even better. • If you combine plants, follow the “thriller, spiller, filler” rule of thumb: — “Thriller” is a single, large specimen spotlight plant. Set it to the center back of the pot. — “Spillers” are plants that cascade over the side of the pot. Add at least three spiller plants (five is even better), evenly spaced inside the pot rim. Go with the same kind of plant. — “Filler” plants occupy space between the thriller and the spillers. Again, choose identical plants, and space them evenly around the pot. • Whether you prefer a single plant per pot or the thriller/killer/spiller approach, put taller plants in tall pots, wider plants in wider pots, and diminutive plants in low pots. • Don’t want to plant? A beautiful, empty pot can be an interesting garden accent. Whichever approach you choose, follow these planting tips: • Drill drain holes if there aren’t any already. • Cover drain holes with a square of window screen before adding potting soil. DO NOT add gravel or broken clay pots (they impede drainage). • Use the best quality potting soil you can afford: Not garden dirt. Not cheap potting soil. For plants that need extra drainage, mix one part of construction sand (not playground sand) with five parts of potting soil. For cactus or succulents, add one part pumice to three parts potting soil, or use a premade cactus and succulent mix (some of those need pumice, too). • Put the pot in place before you fill it. A large ceramic pot filled with wet potting soil can be heavy. Plant it where you want it, so you don’t struggle to move it later. • Keep pots from standing in water by placing them on pot feet, stones, or tiles tucked under the bottom edge. • Moisten potting soil before you plant, then water regularly (except for cactus and succulents). Plants in containers dry out much faster than those in the ground, especially in warm weather. • Top potting soil with ½ inch thick layer of rounded pebbles, marbles, or other inert materials. These mulches hold moisture in the soil, stop dirt from splashing out, discourage fungus gnats, and look nice! • Unlike most in-ground plants, container plants — except cacti and succulents – do best with regular fertilizer. Use a liquid, organic formulation at about half the strength recommended for in-ground plants. Whether your goal is combining edible plants with ornamentals or creating a succulent oasis, these best practices will help you create a beautiful container garden. Have fun, and don’t be afraid to experiment. That’s how some of the best ideas come to life! For more insights, inspiration, and a visual demonstration, watch my videos like“Garden in a Pot” (https://bit.ly/gardeninapot) and my video on planting containers: https://bit.ly/plantacontainer. FOLLOW OTAY WATER ON... / SIGA AL DISTRITO DE AGUA DE OTAY EN... OTAY WATER DISTRICT – Board of Directors The Board of Directors meets the first Wednesday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in the board meeting room at 2554 Sweetwater Springs Boulevard, Spring Valley, CA 91978. The public is encouraged to attend or watch the live stream at otaywater.gov. PresidentJose Lopez, Division 4jlopez@otaywater.gov Vice PresidentRyan Keyes, Division 2rkeyes@otaywater.gov TreasurerMark Robak, Division 5mrobak@otaywater.gov Board MemberDivision 1Vacant Board MemberGary Croucher, Division 3gcroucher@otaywater.gov FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE OTAY WATER DISTRICT CALL (619) 670-2222 OR GO TO OTAYWATER.GOV The Pipeline Newsletter is published quartely by the Otay Water District and can also be found online at otaywater.gov. Copywright ©2021 Otay Water District. All rights reserved. Un oasis en su patio trasero ¡Visite el Jardín de Conservación de Agua! El Jardín de Conservación del Agua cubre todos los aspectos del uso del agua en la jardinería inteligente en el sur de California. El jardín es un laboratorio de aprendizaje para jardineros entusiastas; un lugar encantador para una caminata vespertina, la lectura y la práctica de yoga; así como un lugar para pasear a su perro. El Jardín está ubicado en Cuyamaca College, en la comunidad de Rancho San Diego en la ciudad de El Cajon. El Jardín sirve para educar e inspirar a través de exhibiciones y programas que promueven el uso sustentable de los recursos naturales. Construido en 1999, el Jardín tiene casi seis acres de exhibiciones que muestran la conservación del agua a través de una serie de hermosos jardines temáticos. Además, cuenta con un pabellón de mariposas nativas que está abierto cada año durante la primavera y verano. El jardín está abierto de martes a jueves de 9:00 a. m. a 2:00 p. m., y viernes y sábados de 9:00 a. m. a 4:00 p. m. El jardín también ofrece el programa “gratis en viernes” y visitas guiadas en el jardín el segundo viernes de cada mes. La tienda de regalos recientemente remodelada Gifts from the Garden permite a los visitantes descubrir artesanías, piezas de arte y tesoros del jardín únicos. También ha restablecido su programa de bienestar que ofrece yoga en silla, yoga de flujo lento y yoga suave en el jardín. Participe visitando el jardín o a través de la membresía de bienestar, que incluye clases de bienestar y descuentos para retiros de yoga. Las tortugas del desierto embajadoras del ahorro de agua, Tank, Bernie y Mr. Peabody, también pasan el tiempo en el jardín. Durante las sequías prolongadas, se retiran a sus madrigueras y hacen más lento su metabolismo. El jardín funciona gracias al apoyo de las membresías de la JPA, donaciones, subvenciones, renta de las instalaciones y ventas de plantas y de la tienda de regalos. Cinco de las agencias que son parte de la JPA, incluidos el Distrito de Agua de Helix, el Distrito de Agua de Otay, la Autoridad del Agua de Sweetwater, la San Diego County Water Authority y la ciudad de San Diego, han ayudado a financiar el jardín para mantenerlo abierto cubriendo los costos básicos de operaciones. Después de un cierre temporal, el jardín reabrió al público a finales de febrero. La JPA acordó hacerse cargo de las operaciones de la organización sin fines de lucro Friends of the Water Conservation Garden. La JPA, una organización 501c3, había operado el jardín antes de que se creara la junta directiva de Friends. Lauren Magnuson, directora ejecutiva interina y Tim Townsley, gerente de instalaciones, han sido contratados para continuar administrando el jardín junto con varios voluntarios, mientras se buscan fondos adicionales para restablecer los programas, como el programa educativo Ms. Smarty Plants. Magnuson dijo que está muy emocionada de que el jardín esté “floreciendo nuevamente”. “No puedo imaginar la idea de cerrar este hermoso jardín, especialmente después de todo el éxito que ha tenido”, mencionó Mark Robak, presidente de la Autoridad de Poderes Conjuntos (JPA, por sus siglas en inglés) del jardín. “Yo y el resto de la JPA creemos que a corto plazo y, a través de algunos miembros del personal y voluntarios, el jardín puede continuar sirviendo a la comunidad y brindando ideas maravillosas y espacios para que la comunidad disfrute hasta que tengamos un plan a largo plazo”. El jardín siempre está buscando voluntarios, que son la columna vertebral de sus logros. Desde excavar la tierra, arreglar exhibiciones, trabajar en la tienda de regalos, dar recorridos o simplemente platicar con los invitados, siempre hay algo para todos en el jardín. Los voluntarios han ayudado a reabrir la tienda de regalos y podrían ayudar potencialmente a solicitar subvenciones, dar clases y más. Para obtener información sobre cómo convertirse en voluntario, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a volunteer@ thegarden.org. El plan a largo plazo no se ha determinado todavía, mientras tanto, si necesita más información, visite thegarden.org. ¡Asista al evento del año del Jardín! Celebramos 25 años al servicio a la comunidad RESERVE LA FECHA para una celebración inolvidable y GRATUITA llena de entretenimiento e inspiración. Conéctese con otros miembros de la comunidad, voluntarios dedicados, personal entusiasta y seguidores que han ayudado a que este tesoro del este del condado prospere. Sábado, 9 de noviembre de 2024 9:00 a. m. a 3:00 p. m. thegarden.org