The Gardens at Lake Merritt » Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt http://fogm.techliminal.com The Green Heart of Oakland for Fifty Years Sun, 01 Mar 2015 01:05:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0 Autumn Lights Festival is Ramping UP! http://fogm.techliminal.com/autumn-lights-festival-is-ramping-up/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/autumn-lights-festival-is-ramping-up/#comments Thu, 21 Aug 2014 16:35:05 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=3124 Mark your calendars! The 2014 Autumn Lights Festival, sponsored by PG&E, will illuminate the Gardens at Lake Merritt the nights of Friday October 17 and Saturday October 18. The Oakland Autumn Lights Festival is a fabulously creative two-night fundraiser held inside the beautiful Gardens at Lake Merritt, the seven-acre oasis of themed gardens nestled at the north end of Lakeside Park in Oakland.

BUY TICKETS HERE!

VOLUNTEER AT THE AUTUMN LIGHTS FESTIVAL HERE!

The festival welcomes over 1,000 children and adults to take a nighttime stroll through the gardens, where they encounter enchanting illuminated art installations set among the flowers and trees. The Autumn Lights Festival is a fundraiser for the Gardens at Lake Merritt, a free public garden that truly is the “Green Heart of Oakland.”

Local artists have been selected and invited to create pieces of art that incorporate light in many forms. Last year, over 1000 people attended, and it was a major fundraiser for the Gardens. People who attend get into the spirit, often creating costumes with light!

The Gardens at Lake Merritt depend on donations and volunteer help to stay open.  It has  provided gardening education and experience to generations of Oaklanders.  Here are a few photos from last year’s event:

Autumn_Lights_Festival_Oakland_20131019_2472_1280_lowres

Image courtesy of: Greg Linhares www.omnisourceimages.com

Glass Artist: Kim Webster www.kwebsterglass.com

Glass Artist: Kim Webster www.kwebsterglass.com
Image courtesy of: Greg Linhares www.omnisourceimages.com

Autumn Lights Festival at the Gardens at Lake Merritt lantern_ALF 2012 ALF_2012 561955_10151075061011360_740603792_n

]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/autumn-lights-festival-is-ramping-up/feed/ 0 April Garden Events and Gardening Tips http://fogm.techliminal.com/april-garden-events-and-gardening-tips-2/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/april-garden-events-and-gardening-tips-2/#comments Wed, 20 Mar 2013 21:24:28 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=2519

April Special Events

American Rhododendron Society Show and Plant Sale- April 20-21, Noon to 4 p.m., April 20; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 21 at  the Lakeside Park Garden Center. Many fragrant rhododendrons for sale including tropical vireyas.  Don’t miss the colorful display of species and hybrids. Educational exhibit and raffle prizes. Free to the public.

Earth Day In the Gardens: Saturday, April 20, 9:00am-noon. Gather with your neighbors, friends and community to celebrate and volunteer in the Gardens. Organized work parties planned for all levels of effort and ability.

Growing Great Summer Vegetables:  Saturday, April 27, noon-1:00pm. Free Gardening Workshop by Alameda County Master Gardeners, Trials Garden in the Edible Demonstration Gardens. April is the ideal time to get your summer vegetables into the ground. Big spaces or small, you will learn about growing vegetables, what varieties work best in our climate and when to plant.  Master Gardener Ann Naffziger created a “food forest” in her Alameda front and back yards. She grows everything from apples and asparagus to dried beans and zucchini. She’s got bees and chickens too!

Community Work Party Events 

” A special thanks to the volunteers for making these Gardens the pride of Oakland,” Dick Austin, President, Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt. 

First Saturday of each month, (April 6) 9am-noon – Mediterranean Garden

First Saturday of each month, (April 6) 9am – 1:30pm – Succulent Garden

First and third Saturday of each month, (April 6 and April 13) - Edible Gardens. If you’re interested in gardening at an Edible Garden; the Victory Garden Foundation’s People’s Victory Garden will have mentored gardening days on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. Please see the Event Calendar for the month of April at http://www.peoplesvictorygarden.org/apps/calendar/

Third Saturday of each month, (April 20) 9am- noon – Sensory Gardens, Palmetum, and the Rhododendron Garden

WEEKLY

Every Tuesday Evening, Sensory Garden, 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Every Thursday Morning, Succulent Garden, 9am-noon 

April and May Gardening Tips

Spring Banner 600

Prepared by the Alameda County Master Gardeners

Spring Months: April and May are among the busiest months for gardeners. Almost all warm season vegetables, herbs and annual flowers are planted. 

April

  • Continue to plant root crops in the garden (beets, turnips, carrots, radishes, potatoes, etc.).
  • Set out plants or seed directly summer annuals (cosmos, marigold, sunflower, petunia, etc.).
  • Some cool season crops can still be planted in early April (chard, leek, green onion, lettuce, other salad greens).
  • Summer crops can possibly be planted in late April if it’s warm enough. Start cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and melons indoors in peat or newspaper pots.
  • Plant summer bulbs (callas, cannas, dahlias, gladiolas, etc.).
  • Fertilize and water as needed.
  • Manage any pests who have appeared with help from UC Pest Notes.

May

  • All summer vegetables can be planted (beans, corn, squash, tomatoes, peppers, melons, etc.).
  • All summer annual flowers can be planted or sown.
  • Continue planting summer bulbs.
  • In cooler areas east of the coastal hills, continue planting beets and carrots.
  • Thin fruit on fruit trees as needed (use the width of your closed fist as a rough guide). For more information, read up on thinning here.
  • Check to be sure that your irrigation system is working and meets the needs of your garden.

For more information on gardening tips and information from the Alameda County Master Gardeners, go to http://acmg.ucdavis.edu/

]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/april-garden-events-and-gardening-tips-2/feed/ 0 September Garden Events and Gardening Tips http://fogm.techliminal.com/september-garden-events-and-gardening-tips/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/september-garden-events-and-gardening-tips/#comments Sat, 01 Sep 2012 22:38:55 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=2252 Native Bee Pollinator Garden

September Special Events

September 16, Sunday, 2:30pm (gates open at 2:00): Symphony Sunday in The Gardens. Music in the Gardens at Lake Merritt (at Lakeside Park Garden Center) with Michael Morgan & The Oakland East Bay Symphony featuring the Oakland Jazz Choir. Tickets $10 per person. Order online at https://www.trilogyticketing.com/oakland/ Bring the family and a picnic for a delightful afternoon in The Gardens.

September 22, Saturday, noon-1pm: Alameda County Master Gardeners present Creating Butterfly Habitat in Your Backyard.  Learn how to attract butterflies to your backyard. Master Gardener Marla Lee will cover the butterfly life-cycle, how to host butterflies in all of their forms, along with which plants thrive in our climate to keep butterflies in our yards. Marla created the Bay Farm Elementary School Butterfly Habitat garden in Alameda. This talk is free and open to the public.  Please join us, and bring your own gardening questions!

Download the full Workshop Series schedule here: 2012 Lake Merritt Trials Garden MG Workshop Series. For more information, visit  http://acmg.ucdavis.edu/Demonstration_Gardens/Lakeside_Trials_Garden/

September 23, Sunday -1pm-3pm: Introduction to Bonsai: Interactive Demo and Questions in the Bonsai Garden. This free workshop (held every fourth Sunday of the month) covers the art of Bonsai including techniques, styling, care and grooming.  You are welcome to bring your own tree for some TLC.

Community Work Party Events 

” A special thanks to the volunteers for making these Gardens the pride of Oakland,” Dick Austin, President, Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt. Saturday volunteers receive a half-off  brunch coupon for Bacheesos!

Every Thursday Morning – 9:00am to noon:  Meet at the Succulent  Garden.

Every Tuesday Evening – 5:30pm-7:00pm: Meet in the Sensory Garden.

Every Wednesday Group Gardening -By appointment: Edible Gardens (contact Garden@PeoplesVictoryGarden.org) Schedule time to learn to grow your food and have lunch with your friends.

September 1, Saturday- 9am-1:30pm: Mediterranean and Succulent Gardens

September 15, Saturday- 9am-12pm:   Sensory, Palmetum, and Rhododendron Gardens

September 29, Saturday – 19:30-11:30: Edible Community Garden. (New volunteer sign-up and orientation) Meet at the People’s Victory Garden.

Bring a friend and a garden tool. When volunteering, tell the kiosk  attendant you are a volunteer with the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt for free parking.

September Gardening Tips

Prepared by the Alameda County Master Gardeners

  • Register now for the October 20, 2012 Seminar Digging Deeper: Revitalizing the Urban Garden in the Bay Area  http://acmg.ucdavis.edu/Fall_Seminar/
  • Continue harvesting. Feed that compost pile as summer crops are removed (unless crops are diseased).
  • As summer crops are removed, cover crops (also called green manure or compost crops) can be planted. Read an article on cover crops here.
  • Continue to plant cool season plants.
  • Plant onions from seeds (West of the East Bay Hills). Check out Onions 101 for an in-depth look at growing onions.
  • Set out cool season annuals (pansies, primrose, stock, etc.). Wait until next month for hotter areas.

For more information on gardening tips and information from the Alameda County Master Gardeners, go to http://acmg.ucdavis.edu/

]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/september-garden-events-and-gardening-tips/feed/ 3 Gardens “The Heart of Oakland”– Oakland Magazine http://fogm.techliminal.com/heart-of-oakland-oakland-magazine/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/heart-of-oakland-oakland-magazine/#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 19:28:58 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=1968 OAKLAND MAGAZINE –  “AAA’s Via magazine proclaimed The Gardens at Lake Merritt one of the top five California gardens, yet this Oakland oasis still remains a charming little secret for many locals.”

“If Lake Merritt is considered the gem of Oakland, then the 50-year-old gardens are the city’s heart. ”

““A garden is a reflection of its community. Oakland is awakening and renewing. This is a garden by the people, for the people. It exists today due to selflessness, volunteerism, and a dedi­cation to nurture the unique and remarkable.””

To read the entire article: http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/Oakland-Magazine/May-June-2012/In-the-Mix/

]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/heart-of-oakland-oakland-magazine/feed/ 0 Free Tours of the Gardens at Lake Merritt http://fogm.techliminal.com/free-tours-of-the-gardens-at-lake-merritt/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/free-tours-of-the-gardens-at-lake-merritt/#comments Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:44:17 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=1585  

 

The Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt are offering free tours of The Gardens (a top five California Public Garden) every first and third Saturday of the month.  The tours begin in the Sensory Garden at 10:00am.

The tour, lasting approximately 30 minutes, will feature the Gardens’ many unique and nationally renowned horticultural collections. Tours are designed to be enjoyed by the entire family. Kids will love it.

For more information regarding The Gardens at Lake Merritt tours, or to arrange a private group tour, contact Ron at ronele@earthlink.net.

]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/free-tours-of-the-gardens-at-lake-merritt/feed/ 0 Art and Music in the Gardens: June 4-5, 2011 http://fogm.techliminal.com/art-and-music-in-the-gardens-june-4-5-2011/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/art-and-music-in-the-gardens-june-4-5-2011/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 06:32:46 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=1206

“Artists and Gardeners Present Signature Event in Beautiful, Multi-Acre Gardens on the Lake. Free Admission

“Art and Music in the Gardens” brings together Oakland’s vibrant art and gardening communities in a signature event hosted in the multi-acre Gardens at Lake Merritt and  Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Avenue, June 4-5, 10am-6pm.

More than 50 artists will be featured, showing and selling their art in the Garden Center and the Gardens. Event Honorary Chair and noted muralist Dan Fontes will lead a giant butterfly painting event in the Gardens.

Musical ensembles, playing acoustically under the redwood trees, will delight families with classical, jazz, folk, blues, and ancient Japanese flute.

A Poetry Festival will include an afternoon series of Oakland poets reading under the old oak tree; an all day Zine exchange booth (bring one — take one home) and a morning ekphrasia (writing about the art) open to all wishing to participate.

Also taking place throughout the weekend in the Gardens’ 11 horticultural collections (several are nationally renowned) will be gardening talks, exhibits and demonstrations: Alameda County Master Gardener’s in the Edible Garden, pruning demonstrations in the Japanese Gardens, along with Bonsai trimming and landscape design tips for the East Bay. The Gardens at Lake Merritt were recently named a Top Five California Public Garden by AAA’s “via Magazine.”

Delicious picnic fare will be available from Chef Robert Dorsey III of Blue Oak at the Oakland Museum of California.

Free to the public, the two-day event is being produced by the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt (FGLM), Arts and Creative Expression (ACE) and the City of Oakland. 

Art and Music in the Gardens (a partial list of family activities)

  • Art Show & Sale, featuring fifty-plus artists from the East Bay’s vibrant art community
  • Musical Performances –Classical, Jazz, Mississippi Blues, Japanese Flute
  • Poetry Festival – All Day Readings under the Oak Tree
  • Giant Butterfly Painting lead by noted muralist and Honorary Event Chair, Dan Fontes
  • Aesthetic Pruning Techniques: Pine, Maple and Bonsai Trimming Demonstrations
  • Landscape Design Talks in the Mediterranean Garden, Sensory and Japanese Gardens
  • Food offerings by Chef Robert Dorsey III, operator Blue Oak at the Oakland Museum of California
  • Plant Sales
  • Children’s Activities in Association with the Junior Center for Art and Science
  • Garden, Flower Society and Sustainable Gardening Exhibits
  • Alameda County Master Gardener gardening advice in the Trial Gardens. Don’t miss the worm dig.
  • Plant doctor Consultations
  • Eleven themed horticultural collections, many of them unique and world-class.

“This event celebrates and builds awareness of these special gardens in Oakland, which are a hidden jewel in the middle of the city,” said Bruce Cobbledick, President of the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt. “The Gardens are a magnificent venue for combining the love and appreciation of art and nature – for beauty, for satisfaction, and for health,” added Jerry Miller, Chair of this year’s event.

Through sponsorships, contributions, a silent auction, presenter fees, and food and art sales, the event will raise funds for the renewal and preservation this invaluable Oakland community asset.

About the Lakeside Garden Center and the Gardens at Lake Merritt

Known as the “green heart of Oakland,” the Garden Center and Gardens at Lake Merritt originated in 1957. Seven acres of themed gardens include: the Bonsai, Edible, Japanese, Mediterranean, Palmetum, Rhododendron, Sensory, Succulent, Torii Gate and Vireya Display Gardens.  Plans are underway for a butterfly house, featuring many endangered California butterfly species.   Address: 666 Bellevue, off Grand Avenue in Lakeside Park.

About Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt (FGLM)

Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt is a volunteer group that helps oversee the strategic development of a visionary, broad-scale garden plan and fosters hand-in-the-dirt community involvement.  Its objectives are to increase awareness of this Oakland jewel, raise funds and develop a city-wide volunteer force. For more information about the Gardens and “Art and Music in the Gardens” please visit www.gardensatlakemerritt.org.

About Arts and Creative Expression (ACE)

ACE Arts works with communities and organizations to bring fundamental art skills and materials to underserved populations that may not otherwise have access to many artistic forms of expression. They team professional artists with community participants to create a body of work. Upon completion, the works are presented to the public in celebration.

The City Of Oakland

The Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt appreciate and thank the City of Oakland, Oakland Parks and Recreation, Oakland Public Works Agency and community volunteers who together have transformed this outstanding community asset for all Oaklanders.

Please direct questions regarding the event to Event Chair Jerry Miller at eyesoworld@gmail.com , 510-547-8894.

]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/art-and-music-in-the-gardens-june-4-5-2011/feed/ 4 Welcome to The Sensory Garden http://fogm.techliminal.com/welcome-to-the-sensory-garden-at-lakeside-park/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/welcome-to-the-sensory-garden-at-lakeside-park/#comments Sun, 15 May 2011 04:41:16 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=67 3
The Sensory Garden at Lakeside Park has been redesigned to utilize drought tolerant Mediterranean and native plants that  provide fragrance, sound and color for the senses. The garden is organized to offer the visitor a succession of experiences. Features  include:

1• Entry Attraction: Colorful and fragrant plantings at the entry gate  invite exploration

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• Tactile Pathway Edges: Fragrant and textured plantings are touchable in a five foot wide strip along raised planting beds

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• Color and Sound Meadow: Bold drifts of plantings provide a spectrum of color and rustle in the breezes

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• Central Water Feature: Visible from the entrance, the water feature provides lively sounds and movement in the heart of the garden

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• Lavender Hill: A mass planting of several lavender species provide an impressive display of color and scent
• Bold Salvias: Vibrant colors of an array of sages draw the visitor into the garden

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• Seating Area: Renewed benches provide a destination and resting spot for visitors

]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/welcome-to-the-sensory-garden-at-lakeside-park/feed/ 0 March Garden Events http://fogm.techliminal.com/december-and-january-garden-events/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/december-and-january-garden-events/#comments Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:32:14 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=1079

March Community Work Party Days:

Friday, March 4, 2011, 8:00-11:00 am – Japanese Garden

Saturday, March 5, 2011, 9:00- 12:00 – Mediterranean Garden 

Saturday, March 5, 2011, 10:00-4:00 Torii Gate Garden  with the Merritt College Pruning Club

Saturday, March 12, 2011, 9:30-12:30 – Palmetum

Saturday, March 19, 2011, 9:00-12:00 –  Rhododendron Garden and Sensory Garden (see Spring has Sprung post)

Free day pass for volunteers with the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt. Receive pass at kiosk.  Bring gloves, your favorite garden tool and a friend.

Ongoing Events:

Alameda County Master Gardeners are available in the Trial Gardens to answer your questions every Wednesday from 11:00-1:00, weather permitting.

Community Kitchen Garden Workdays are held every Sunday, 12:00-2:00

See you there!

     

]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/december-and-january-garden-events/feed/ 1 Be The Change day – Redwood Habitat Restoration http://fogm.techliminal.com/be-the-change-day-redwood-habitat-restoration/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/be-the-change-day-redwood-habitat-restoration/#comments Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:08:10 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=863

Volunteers registering

On Saturday October 2nd 100 volunteers participated in Be the Change Day at the Gardens at Lake Merritt. The volunteers were arranged by Hands on Bay Area. I would like to thank Hands on Bay Area and the volunteers.  They worked on several projects. This is  the habitat restoration around a bed with three large redwoods.  Before the habitat restoration the bed was turf and ivy.  The volunteers today were predominately from Kaiser Permanente.  Lots of progress in a short time thanks to many hands.

Site at start of today Removing the last ivy Putting down cardboard Loading compost Spreading mulch The planting begins The youngest volunteer planting Spreading chips after planting Volunteers registering ]]> http://fogm.techliminal.com/be-the-change-day-redwood-habitat-restoration/feed/ 0 Regional Health Education’s Volunteer Service Event at the Gardens at Lake Merritt http://fogm.techliminal.com/regional-health-educations-volunteer-service-event-at-the-gardens-at-lake-merritt/ http://fogm.techliminal.com/regional-health-educations-volunteer-service-event-at-the-gardens-at-lake-merritt/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 19:48:55 +0000 http://gardensatlakemerritt.org/?p=821

On Tuesday August 10th afternoon, a highly motivated group of volunteers from Kaiser Medical Group weeded and sheet mulched a bed in the Rhododendron Garden in the Gardens at Lake Merritt.  There was great support from Oakland Public works in providing tools, cardboard, mulch and making several trips to cart away the green waste.

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