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Greetings
From SeaWorld’s Garden of Discovery
April
2002
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What’s
Happening in SeaWorld’s Gardens This Month?
Spring
is a magical time for the SeaWorld landscape. Park guests
find color everywhere. In April roses are blooming for the
first time following winter dormancy. The mass planting
of yellow ‘Sunflare’ roses at the main entrance
are gradually flowering and soon there will be a sea of
color. Besides roses, other perennial flowering plants are
putting on a show this month. Look for dependable favorites
such as bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae), Indian hawthorn
(Rhaphiolepis sp.) and Bougainvillea to be in color throughout
SeaWorld.
This month park annual color beds are going through a transition.
Cool season flowers are being replaced with warm season
material. Pansies, Iceland poppies and primroses are ending
their run. At the same time, marigolds, impatiens and petunias
are being planted.
So,
in spite of what you may have heard we do have seasons in
San Diego! The mild spring weather brings a peak in flower
color. Visit the park soon and enjoy the show.
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Spring
color highlights include the
‘Sunflare’ roses and Bougainvilleas.
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Gardening
and the Weather
“Some
people are weatherwise, but most are otherwise.”
- Ben Franklin
“Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything
about it.”
- Mark Twain
Even in the sunny, mild climate of Southern California weather conditions
and our reactions to them have a tremendous affect on the health
of our gardens. Over-watering in the rainy season can lead to moldy
soil ruining an annual bed. Under-watering during a late Fall Santa
Ana results in wilted, stunted plantings. We sure can’t do
anything about the weather, but we can be “weatherwise”
and use knowledgeable practices that give our gardens the best chance
to flourish.
The
relationship between the weather and cultivated plants is a vast
subject that takes a lifetime to learn. However, if you are a junior
gardener or just beginning, here are a few tips to guide you through
the seasons.
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Visitors
to the Garden of Discovery find an official National Weather
Service reporting station.
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Get
a thermometer: A high/low thermometer helps you keep track
of daily temperature fluctuations that affect plant health.
Measure
your rainfall: Any flat-sided clear container can measure
rain. Keep the gauge away from trees and buildings. Once you
know how much it has rained you can decide how long to wait
to add water to your garden.
Learn about Evapotranspiration: This measures evaporation
of water from the soil and transportation of water through
plant roots, stem and leaves. Think of it as rain in reverse.
Once you know how much water is leaving your landscape you
will know how much to put back. “E. T.” rates increase
in hot, dry, windy weather and decrease during rain, fog and
cool conditions.
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To
increase your gardening skills and become “weatherwise”
click on the following web sites:
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Wildlife
Watch
Recent
entries from our Wildlife Spotters log include:
|
Wildlife
Spotted
|
Your
Name
|
Hometown
|
|
Hummingbird
|
Ruth
|
Babylon,
New York
|
| Mallard |
Curtis |
Mission
Viejo, CA |
| White
Crowned Sparrow |
Taylor |
Fort Worth, TX |
| House
Finch |
Christine/Ashley
|
Highland,
CA |
| Ducks |
Bruce |
La
Mesa, CA |
| Blackbird |
Mathew |
San
Diego, CA |
| Sparrow/Egret |
Molly/Patrick |
Gardnerville,
NV |
| Coopers
Hawk |
Sonia |
Norwalk,
CA |
| Sea
Gull |
Martha |
Boise,
ID |
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Science
Fair 2002
The
Garden of Discovery team would like to honor the following Science
Fair 2002 Participants:
| Student |
School |
Science
Project |
Elizabeth
Dean
#608 |
Pershing
Middle School |
“A
Study of Seed Germination” |
Yesenia
Bustos
#968 |
Memorial
Academy |
“Effectiveness
of Brazilian Pepper Tree as an Anti-Bacteria Agent” |
Macy
Tom
#1151 |
Thurgood
Marshall Middle School |
“Which
Colors Are Butterflies Most Attracted To?” |
Ryan
Patrick Dagget
#765 |
Thurgood
Marshall Middle School, 8th Grade |
“Does
Lightening Strike Twice?” |
Lelia
Mary Rickling
#693 |
Blessed
Sacrament School, 7th Grade |
“Cloud
Seeding” |
Beatrice
Meredith Wolfe
#889 |
Thurgood
Marshall Middle School, 8th Grade |
“Tornado
Machine” |
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Upcoming
Event!!!
Sky
Awareness Weekend (April 26 & 27) at the Garden of Discovery:
- Meet
the experts from the National Weather Service
- View
nature photographer John Days cloud photos.
- Take
a look at the SeaWorld San Diego Cooperative weather station.
- See
winning weather projects from the San Diego Science and Engineering
Fair 2002.
- Look
at sun spots with the San Diego astronomy association
- For
more information call (619) 226-3900 x2207
For
information on your customized educational opportunity in the Garden
of Discovery contact Jeff Hall or Melanie Repikoff (619) 226-3900
ext. 2207.
E-mail us at SWCLandscape@SeaWorld.com
Visit
our SeaWorld
Garden Web site.
Garden
of Discovery Partners:
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