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Ten commandments for a greener, more beautiful Tehachapi
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Posted by editor Fri Jun 2, 2006 13:29:14 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Okay, so there are no divinely issued commandments for beautifying Tehachapi. So take them as 10 suggestions. Or even 10 wishes from a starry-eyed dreamer.

10. Our town’s beauty is up to everyone. Just one house with weeds gone wild and unsightly junk all over the place can destroy the good looks of a street. Ten beautiful houses in a row and one “grapes of wrath” hovel shatters the whole effect. Why be the neighborhood eyesore?

9. Every little bit makes a difference. You don’t have to do a lot. Neat counts. So does just one tree and a few flowers. As in all things in life, “incremental changes result in exponential differences.” Do a little here and a bit there and do it consistently over time and you’ll be making a major contribution to the aesthetics of our town.

8. Take a walk around your neighborhood and educate yourself. You see things differently on foot. The things you zoom by when you’re in the car never fully sink in. A walk will amaze you with some of the beautiful yards all around you. You’ll find trees, shrubs, vines, ground covers and flowers that will inspire you. Plus, you’ll be doing your body good by getting out of your couch potato mode — something we’d all be better off to not cultivate so much.

7. Do it your way. I love the variety of landscape designs you can find in Tehachapi. Some are very formal, with everything laid out in the most precise manner. Some have ancient oak trees galore. Others have cottage gardens with a profusion of blooms sprawling and spilling up all available ground space. Others are minimal and simple. Some use small rocks as ground cover, while a few used enormous boulders to naturalize slopes. And there are those with elaborate streams and water features throwing in some burbling to go with the visual delight. The sum total of so many different approaches to home landscapes is that we have a charming, ever-changing landscape to stimulate our eyes in most of our neighborhoods.

6. Visit a real nursery or botanical garden. Tehachapi is home to Mourning Cloak Ranch, a truly delightful, even awesome botanical garden. It’s famous enough to have been visited and showcased by Huell Howser for KCET’s California Gold. Tehachapi also is home to the so cool Old Towne Nursery. There are plants and fountains and trees, oh me. You’ll think you’re in the Emerald City for sure. Best of all, these are the perfect places to not only find out about plants, but find out how to plant. I may live in Ridgecrest, but I’m thankful to the many contributions Tehachapi has made to beautify my own home.

5. Get to know your friends and neighbors with green thumbs. These people are so fanatical about growing things, they’ll gladly help you find your growing faith. They’ll share plants, tips, and even come over to your house to give you a helping hand. Believe me, if you’re just getting started, you’ll be glad for all the help you can get.

4. Watch out for gophers, deer, and other critters. Can you say “deer resistant?” I used to have a dog that liked to undig all my recently planted greenery. It’s never fun to plant, only to have them critterized (I’ve never been able to handle criticism). Tim and his green thumb gang at Old Towne can help you identify plants which animals find distasteful. And there’s always the deterrent of planting in a wine barrel or a container.

3. Think “firesafe” while you’re making beautiful. Wild things grow only too well in Tehachapi. The county’s gone the extra mile to help folks living on acreage do landscaping that is protective of what is probably your largest investment —your home. You can find brochures and guides to planting in a “firesafe” manner at your local community services district  or fire station. This is also a place where your friends at the nursery can give you input to what plants are more fire resistant. Remember, it’s not about no landscaping, it’s about smart landscaping.

2. Put in a good watering system. Plants get thirsty. While Tehachapi may be the coolest spot in the county, it still gets hot and dry. So a good watering system will save you time and get water to your plants more efficiently. And don’t forget to mulch. A protective covering of cocoa shells or bark mulch will save you time and money spent watering.

1. Beautify the city’s byways. Tehachapi is already beautiful. But two of my favorite programs, “Trees for Tehachapi” and the daffodil project, could readily be annual community efforts. And why not capitalize on one of Tehachapi’s blooming treasures, lilac bushes, by making more of a community-wide endeavor? Added to the efforts of the Main Street folks, the Old Town Merchants Association, and the murals group, beauty is popping up everywhere you look.

You’re looking good Tehachapi. Keep up the good work.

Next Week: Take Some Time Off for Good Behavior

Mark Moore is a Chartered Financial Consultant with Q4 Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member NASD/SIPC. Your feedback is valued. Email Mark at MarkM@Q4Financial.net.

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