Water Features in Santa Cruz

In a short stretch of coastline, Santa Cruz includes saltwater beaches, lagoons (salty or brackish “lakes”), estuaries, and rivers or creeks. Each of these water features may be associated with distinctive geological formations, microclimates, and plant communities. According to botanist *Glenn Keator, plant communities are “repeatable assemblages of plants that grow together because of similar adaptations to microclimates, soils and slopes, and biotic factors.”

Natural Bridges State Beach - dunes and salt water.

Small lagoon at Natural Bridges State Beach. Moore Creek empties into the lagoon.

 San Lorenzo River runs through Santa Cruz, and empties into the Santa Cruz Harbor.

HTML Tables

By understanding the unique geology, microclimate, soil type, aspect, and native plant community, it is possible to plan a garden that includes a palette of plants, trees, and shrubs that works together. As my visits to the desert fostered my interest in dry climate plants, my visit to the Santa Cruz coast has fostered an interest in coastal and riparian plants. More research is needed.

* Keator, Glenn and Middlebrook, Alrie. Designing California Native Gardens: The Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens, page 7. University of California Press, Berkeley, Lost Angeles, London, 2007. ISBN 0520239784  or 9780520239784.

Marine Influences

We’re planning an outing to Santa Cruz to visit the beach, cruise the boardwalk, and ride the Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster (built in 1924). Our son heads back to University of Anchorage soon to pursue his art degree, so a family trek to the beach is just what we need to celebrate summer and spend some time together!

 

Blanket of fog along the California coast

As usual, I reach for Sunset’s The Western Garden Book. Santa Cruz is in climate zone 17 – “Marine Effects – Southern, Northern, and Central California” and online. According to Sunset, the climate is dominated by ocean influences 98% of the time. Frost is not a factor. Cool, wet winters and cool summers with frequent fog or wind are the norm. The fog reduces the intensity of light and sunshine by providing a protective blanket. Wind and salt spray may limit some plant choices, and heat-loving plants may not receive enough heat to bloom. Normal summer temperature highs range from 60 to 75 degrees.

Climate zone 17 runs in a thin strip along the western coast, from Southern Oregon through the San Francisco Bay Area, to as far south as Santa Maria. There are regional differences in vegetation, due to latitude change, but the marine influence prevails. I’m looking forward to learning more about local plants in the Santa Cruz area, and fun gardening ideas.

East Bay Regional Park District

Here in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area, we have access to thousands of acres of undeveloped land, which is under the stewardship of the East Bay Regional Park District. The Park District provides oversight for multiple parks throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The parks preserve open land and watersheds in a growing urban area, for our enjoyment now, and for future generations.

Most of the plant communities associated with regional microclimates are represented in their holdings, including oak woodland, chaparral, coastal scrub, grassland, redwood forest, mixed evergreen forest, coastal dune, coastal strand, riparian, and so forth. This commitment to preserving some pristine land is a treasure for anyone interested in native plants, hiking, or getting back to nature.

East Bay Regional Park District provides stewardship
for many parks and open spaces

I have enjoyed hikes and events with family and friends in Briones, Temescal, Tilden, Leona Canyon, Redwood, Huckleberry, Roberts, Sibley, and Crown Beach, to name a few. I’ve also helped remove invasive plant species in several parks. To learn more about the East Bay Regional Park District: http://www.ebparks.org; about individual parks: http://www.ebparks.org/parks; and for plant checklists: https://www.ebparks.org/natural-resources/biodiversity/plants-checklist  (select by district, or specific park).