Loomis Library Demonstration Garden taking break after harvest

After a bountiful year, the thriving demonstration garden at Loomis Library is "taking a winter nap." The UC Master Gardeners of Placer County began work on the 11,000 square-foot garden outside the Loomis Library and Community Learning Center in 2023. Opened last year, the garden transformed the library lawn into a spectacular waterwise garden, showcasing California natives, pollinators and edible plants. The library yard showcases 12 unique areas with more than 85 plant varieties. The organization uses the garden as a living classroom to help residents see what they can do at home and share the latest in UC-recommended research and tips. Programs are held regularly, and the garden is open to visitors during library hours. The garden has quickly become a model for conversions of nonfunctional turf in public spaces, according to partner Placer County Water Agency. The garden grew out of a partnership between PCWA, the Town of Loomis, the library and Master Gardeners. Karen Lopez, the demonstration garden coordinator, gave the Loomis Town Council a year-end monthly report Dec. 9. Lopez is also coordinating the "firescape" planting project at the Loomis South Placer Firehouse on Horseshoe Bar Road downtown. The Master Gardener said 455 visitors came to the garden in November. "That includes about 130 people who came out for our Apple Extravaganza," said Lopez. "We had a really great day out there." The coordinator said 207 volunteer work hours on the garden were performed during the last month, adding to an overall 672 hours for the year from July through November. "We harvested 119 pounds of fruit and vegetables, 265 pounds for the year. All of that has gone into the library, into their little food closet there. It's something we have been really happy to do," said Lopez. The certified expert said the garden is now "resting," or coming to its natural conclusion for the year. So, while the library garden project was winding down, the firehouse garden project was winding up last week, she said. A rock swale was applied with 66 plants at the fire station. Plants at the firehouse were all donated from nurseries like High-Hand and Green Acres. "They were little baby plants but we measured everything out, and they're all going to grow in exactly the way they should," said Lopez. Educational signs for the various plants will go up in the spring. "We are hoping to have a firewise fair or something to kick that off along with PCWA and South Placer Fire," Lopez said. After arborists' mulch is delivered by the Town, the firescape will also "take a long winter's nap for the rest of the season," Lopez explained. The Gardener added the annual Seed Swap is Jan. 31 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Loomis Vet Hall. "We did this last year, the first year we did it, and it was tremendously successful. The community loved it," said Lopez.