Marin Water

Join us this summer for the One Tam Rooted in the Watershed guided hike series, where we’ll journey from peak to Pacific through the forests of Marin. Along the way, we’ll reflect on how these forests are connected through the watershed they share and how collaborative stewardship can help foster more resilient landscapes.

⛰️ Rock Spring (Sargent Cypress) – Fri, 7/17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

🌊 Tennessee Valley (Eucalyptus) – Fri, 7/24, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

🥾 Lake Lagunitas (Oak Woodland and Douglas Fir) – Fri, 8/7, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

🌲 Samuel P. Taylor (Coast Redwood) – Sat, 8/8, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.

These hikes have a registration cap, so sign up today! For more details and registration, visit marinwater.org/volunteercalendar.

PLANT OF THE WEEK: Thimbleberry (rubus parviflorus)
This perennial in the Rose family is related to raspberries and blackberries. It spreads through underground rhizomes. In the spring, large white flowers bloom above the leaves. A bright red, edible fruit that resembles a raspberry (or a thimble, as the name suggests), ripens in summer.

Bees and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers, and the leaves are a host plant for many different species of butterflies and moths. Birds and other mammals eat the berries.

Thimbleberries grow in partly-shaded forest openings and on moist woodland canyons or slopes. Use Thimbleberry for erosion control on slopes in a forested garden; near shady creeks or streams; or on the north side of a house. Thimbleberry can be used as a native plant substitute for non-native berries in an edible garden or food forest.

Enjoy our plant of the week posts? Sign up for our weekly watering schedule and you'll receive them in your email once a week during the growing season along with recommended guidance for watering your landscape based on current weather conditions, irrigation equipment, and plant type. Sign up: https://www.marinwater.org/WeeklyWateringSchedule
-Plant image and description courtesy of Calscape-

PLANT OF THE WEEK: Blue-eyed grass (sisyrinchium bellum)
Blue-eyed grass is a perennial herb that grows throughout California, usually in open places where there is some moisture, particularly grassy areas. It can also be found in woodlands and at altitudes up to almost 8,000 feet.

Its leaves are grassy and tufted. The flowers are small and purplish-blue, varying somewhat in color from a true blue to a definite purple; occasional white-flowering plants are found. It flowers from January to July. After flowering, it dies back to the ground and is dormant over the summer. It prefers some moisture and good drainage but will tolerate summer dryness.

It can be propagated by seed, and self-sows. It can also be propagated by division of its rhizomes, and the flower stems can be rooted. It is moderately hardy and will tolerate temperatures down to 20 degrees.

Blue-eyed Grass is very easy to grow and will easily reseed. Best to plant on flat areas in loamy soils that that hold moisture well.

Even though it goes dormant in the summer in dryer, southern areas, Blue-eyed Grass is more likely to survive the summer drought with occasional watering. It's best to plant this at the edges of landscapes for pops of color.

This plant is on several fire-resistant plant lists, including FireSafe Marin and County of San Diego.

Enjoy our plant of the week posts? Sign up for our weekly watering schedule and you'll receive them in your email once a week during the growing season along with recommended guidance for watering your landscape based on current weather conditions, irrigation equipment, and plant type. Sign up: https://www.marinwater.org/WeeklyWateringSchedule
-Plant image and description courtesy of Calscape-

Did you know Marin Water offers a free, on-site water-use consultation for customer homes, businesses or large landscapes?

During the 90-minute Conservation Assistance Program visit, a Marin Water staff member will show you how to read your water meter, evaluate the efficiency of plumbing fixtures and appliances, and assess your irrigation system. They will also walk you through your personalized water-use history overview and answer any questions.

Learn more or schedule your appointment: https://marinwater.org/waterefficiency/home-water-saving-guidance/conservation-assistance-program-cap/