Deborah Burroughs

Last July, I carefully planted a "California Native Plant" garden. We live in a condo and our yard is fairly small (8 X 30 feet), but still enough room to have a little fun with plants and flowers. I spent a day digging, planting and providing lots of water to give the young plants a fighting chance. Little did I know that planting in July wasn't the greatest time (too hot), but what's done is done. Most of these hardy plants survived the heat and dry Santa Ana winds. Throughout the fall and winter months there was very little growth above ground which discouraged me, but it was explained to me that these plants were doing most of their growing under ground and I was promised that in the spring they would take off. I was not disappointed.

I have had so much fun watching these plants grow - I've even taken cuttings off some of them and started new plants which I was then able to give away to friends. The interesting thing about California natives is that they really don't require much water - in fact, you can kill them with too much water. There were times when I thought a plant looked stressed, and my first thought was to give it more water. But when I resisted that temptation I would quickly see that they plant was fine (in most cases). That's not to say that I have not killed a few plants, because I have - but my guess is that they were over-watered.

Since we live in a condo - there is regular irrigation on the hillside above our garden - so we are getting water from that. If not for that source, I would possibly have to water more.

As you can see these plants are fairly happy - they provide lots of interest for us and the pollinators around here. We love to hike, and we see many of these plants in our local foothills and mountains - so it's such a treat to walk outside into our back yard to see these plants and smell the scents that we would normally smell on an afternoon hike. As they become more established, I will water less and less. With the irrigation on the hillside above - my guess is that I won't have to water more than a few times a year. Saving water around these parts is a good thing right now - it's a good feeling to know we don't have to sacrifice the garden due to water shortages. I'm glad I made the decision to kill the grass and put in a more interesting yard that requires minimal care and water. More and more folks are doing the same here in San Diego County - it's a good thing on so many levels (saves money and is good for the critters and environment).

Happy planting!!

Community efforts don't go unnoticed. A wonderful group of people from Genentech, an Oceanside bio-tech firm, planned a day of hard (volunteer) work at the Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center in Oceanside earlier this week.

Genentech was voted one of the best 100 companies to work for by Fortune Magazine. A small group of employees donated their time, tenacity and resources to the grounds at the nature center.

They cut down trees, pruned shrubs, dug up island planters, hauled the brush and planted native plants. They accomplished a tremendous amount of work in a very short period of time. I still can't get over the improvements that were made that day. It was so fun working with them and sharing stories. One gentleman told me about a new cancer drug that they are developing, others talked about their kids and many asked questions about the native plants. It was a blast to see everybody getting dirty!

Joan Bockman, Native Plant Director, had the idea of using a boulder as a source of water for birds to bring them close enough for folks to view while visiting the area. Genentech graciously donated a 1000 pound boulder for the project. Once the pump is installed, water will always be available for visiting birds.

When all the work was done, the cheerful group took a guided nature walk led by the center's manager, Annette Schneider, where they got to see ruddy ducks, coots, frogs, osprey, monarch butterflies and other critters.

The Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center draws people from throughout the community - many come to learn and many come to help out. It's a great spot to bring kids (young & old) to get up close to nature and an opportunity to donate your talents to a local community jewel. A huge thank you goes out to the employees of Genentech for selecting the center as a place to spend their volunteer day.

Mt Calavera & Vista

Now, we're talking... aaahhhh Vista. This is where I live, and I love this town. It's about 7 miles from the coast; but where we live, we get a nice onshore breeze to keep us cool for most of the year. There are some valleys in Vista where it can get fairly warm, but still our temps are mild for the most part. Lot's of beautiful rolling hills here in Vista, and a sense of rural living in many areas. We've got beautiful horse ranches, great schools, stunning neighborhoods and plenty of agriculture to boot.

Vista is growing and changing everyday! The Vista Business Park is forecasted to grow, and as a result, add thousands of employment opportunities to our community. Our city draws people from surrounding areas to visit our parks, cultural events and historical sites.

In 1845, Governor Pio Pico issued a land grant to Felipe Subria where the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe stands today - Buena Vista Park drew people from the surrounding regions for social gatherings. This historic site, along with the Guajome Regional Park and Agua Hedionda Y los Manos Adobe, are just some of our historic treasures.

The Rancho Buena Vista Adobe looks basically the way it did when it was built 150 years ago, but it has some modern upgrades and was used a residential home as recently as 1989 when the City of Vista purchased it. In 1851, the property was given as a wedding gift for $1.00. I've lived in Vista for many years, and making my first visit to the Adobe was delightful. I plan to visit again, to get the full tour! I spoke with the Rancho Program Coordinator, Beverly Fisher, who graciously allowed me browse around and take a few pictures. (Thanks Beverly!) I felt a reverence as I walked through the rooms of the old adobe; I could just imagine the families and stories that took place there.

(Photos courtesy of Rancho Buena Vista Adobe)

Guajome Regional Park is part of the San Diego Founder's Trail, and offers camping, horse-back riding, fishing and beautiful natural landscaping.

Fun things to do in Vista!!

The Wave waterpark, take the kids to play on the water slides, and wave pool, and more!

Vista our fairly new Vista Village Center, where you can shop, eat (of course) and go to the theatre. Be sure to talk a stroll along the Buena Vista Creek!!

Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum where you can view interesting collections and exhibits of early California farming.

Moonlight Amphitheatre & the Avo Playhouse Coming up in November "Drivng Miss Daisy"

Our great city adopted a Marine Corps squadron, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 36. The purpose of the adopt-a-unit program is for an American city to connect to, and provide support for, a unit abroad who, by their very nature sacrifice so much for us here at home. Click here to learn how you can get involved. Good job, Vista!!

In 2005, Vista was named one of the nations 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family. I agree!!

Mt Calavera & Oceanside

In the late 1700s Father Juan Crespi arrived in the Oceanside area, and he felt the location was perfect for what is now known as the Mission San Luis Rey de Francia.

After the completion of the railroad from San Diego to San Bernardino, the city of Oceanside began to take shape. Folks who lived inland would take day trips to the ocean-side, and eventually the two words became one. When the town petitioned for a post office, they wrote ‘Oceanside' down as its name. In 1888, Oceanside's population was approximately 1000 individuals. Today, there are more than 160,000 people living in Oceanside.

Oceanside sits next the Marine Corps base, Camp Pendleton, and has benefited economically from the close proximity. Oceanside, like Carlsbad, has a pleasant climate and many crops of tomatoes, avocados, citrus and flowers are produced here as well. It also is a popular tourist town with miles of pristine coastline, a fishing (and dining) pier and small-craft harbor.

When the pier was built in 1979, it was known as the longest pier on the west-coast measured at 1900-ft. Currently, you can dine at Ruby's Diner at the end of the pier while overlooking the ocean and sailboats as they pass by.

The Oceanside harbor has several fine restaurants with gorgeous views, as well as many shops to visit, a lighthouse, tour boats and fishing boats (take a tour boat to see the magnificent gray whales migrating). Be sure to join the upcoming annual Harbor Day celebration during the third weekend in September.

Sailing, fishing, bicycling and lots more fun can enjoyed in Oceanside.

Visit the Buena Vista Audubon Society for a glimpse of a replica of the recent archeological find of a mastodon, which is only the third such find in San Diego county. Children love to visit here where they can hold a live tarantula, see wildlife displays and take guided insect tours. You can also view the native California Coastal Sage Scrub plant community here, and learn about the area's habitat and important role in the surrounding ecosystem. (If you stop by on a Friday morning, you might just find me there, working in the garden with Native Plant Director, Joan Bockman. Stop by to say hi!)

Go visit the ocean-side....

Mt Calavera & Carlsbad

The Luiseno Indians lived on the coast of Carlsbad back in the late 1700s-they lived on seafood, food crops and reportedly led peaceful lives-they worshipped the Great Spirit, the Sun-God. They currently live on a reservation near Palomar Mountain approximately 60 miles away. The area changed hands when the Spanish arrived. In 1886, the town of Carlsbad was established after the artesian wells were found and the Carlsbad Land & Water Company purchased the land.

Today, Carlsbad is rich with history and has a distinctive mix of homes, parks and many businesses. It was known as the Avocado Capital in the 1920s and the Flower Capital in the 1940s.

Visit the Carlsbad Historical Society on Beech Street where you can see a variety of beautiful gardens and learn more about the fascinating history of this town.

Carlsbad is an enjoyable place to visit and an pleasant place to live. What can you do in Carlsbad? Go to the beach-swim, surf, kayak and much, much more!!

Check out one of the many local restaurants and listen to live music at the Coyote Bar & Grill on Carlsbad Village Drive-great southwestern food and drinks.

There are so many fabulous restaurants to choose from.

Take the kids to Legoland and play!

Visit the La Costa Resort & Spa--get a relaxing and rejuvenating massage and/or play a game of golf.

Living in Carlsbad-great schools, nice neighborhoods and plenty of unique boutiques for you shoppers. Nice open space and beautiful views.

I'm just scratching the service of this magnificent town!! You've got to get there to see for yourselves how special this little village by the sea truly is. Go and enjoy!