Tending Patricia’s Green
by Henry Ostendorf

This weekend I literally pulled my stakes from the ground in Patricia’s Green. It gives me great pleasure to see my year of clandestine gardening caught the attention of the neighborhood and SF Rec and Park. This month, after a full 12 months of prodding, City signage went up to remind inattentive dog owners that the plant beds are for plants - not dogs. Did you know that a plastic bag can save you $320? Health Code Sec. 40 (a)(b). Now that dog owners have been duly advised, Park Rangers will ticket without warning.

Rec and Park staff advise that Patricia’s Green is being “restored” to the specifications from original landscaping plans. New soil, shrubs and bedding plants are being planted weekly. James Wheeler, Rec and Park Supervisor, has agreed that an “ornamental barrier” to protect the plantings is a “good idea” and he’s seeking funds to pay for it.

Now, regretfully to some and a relief to others, the cascading strawberry bed I constructed over the Thanksgiving holiday was removed and will soon be relocated to the Growing Home community gardens on Octavia Blvd (at Lily). I will continue to spend my gardening hours both there and at the newly opened Hayes Valley Farm. I’m confident Patricia’s Green is now in good hands under the skillful watch of a half-time gardener, Marianne. Concerns, comments and compliments about the Green can be addressed to James.Wheeler@ sfgov.org