James D. Bagby & Cole R. Schroeder Main Garden
The WGHS GOLD James D. Bagby & Cole R. Schroeder Main Garden is the centerpiece garden of a network of gardens spanning the campus. The focus of the Main Garden is ecological agriculture and food production. This garden provides a functional and interactive setting in which students can learn about biological gardening and farming as well as general ecology principles.The Main Garden is bounded by the fence along Dry Creek Road on the north side, by another fence separating the garden site and the parking lot behind the X wing on the east side, the last Z wing building on the south side, and the fence behind the backstop of the varsity baseball field on the west side.
Over the last two years this garden has seen the addition of multiple compost systems, two portable greenhouses, a new storage shed, a seating area for up to 30 students, and more raised beds and pathways. Much of this work was performed in 2013 by James D. Bagby, Cole R. Schroeder, and their respective families and friends.
Additional pictures of the Main Garden can be viewed on the WGHS GOLD blog under the Main Garden label.
California Native Garden #1
WGHS GOLD California Native Garden #1 is situated at the southern end of the W building, just underneath the flight of concrete stairs leading from the ground to the second story. This garden was designed and installed in 2013 by a team from Mr. Bursch's 4th period Honors Biology class. All of the plants in this garden are adapted to the dry chaparral ecosystems of California. The three plant species featured in this garden (Achillea millefolium, Salvia spathacea, and Diplacus aurantiacus) have flowers which provide food for many native insects.
California Native Garden #2
WGHS GOLD California Native Garden #2 is located in a small square bed in the front of the school. The garden was created in 2013 by a team from Mr. Bursch's 2nd period biology class. It currently has two native species.
California Native Garden #3: The Chaparral Garden
WGHS GOLD California Native Garden #3 is located in the once-barren island of the student parking lot. The garden was created in 2013 by a joint team consisting of members from Mr. Bursch's 3rd, 5th, and 6th period biology classes. All of the plants in this garden are species native to one or more of the driest ecosystem types found in California. Once established, these plants will need no supplemental water and should be able to survive from winter rains alone.
California Native Garden #4: The Hummingbird Garden
WGHS GOLD California Native Garden #4 is located immediately behind the Mickey Long Center and adjacent to Varsity Lane. It contains a highly diverse mix of California native plant species that would not normally be found growing in the same ecological community. The primary purpose of this garden was to provide forage for as many native animal species as possible. The designers are particularly fond of hummingbirds. The garden includes several salvias, various poppies, monkeyflower, native buckwheats, milkweeds, penstemons, lots of ceanothus, and multiple varieties of manzanita.
California Native Garden #5
WGHS GOLD California Native Garden #5 is situated immediately adjacent to Varsity Lane directly in front of W104 and across from the T wing building. It contains a highly diverse mix of California native plant species that would not normally be found growing in the same ecological community. The primary purpose of this garden was to provide forage for several native animal species as well as adding additional attractive low-maintenance landscaping to the WGHS campus. The garden includes California poppies, sticky monkey flower, San Miguel Island buckwheat, and a low growing variety of manzanita.
