Help Vince Conway resurrect the Biblical Gardens at Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center Ontario California* *See latest news (2/4/2008) at bottom of this page!
Arch built in 1966 based on an arch from the Holy Lands. Vince Conway has become drawn into a very sizeable biblical garden project with a delightful array of Biblical trees already growing there... "My plans for a Biblical Garden are progressing steadily but at a tremendously slow pace - or so it seems. A 39 year established Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center in the area has set aside 2 acres of land for a Biblical Garden. The parcel of land was at one time (39 years ago) a partial Biblical Garden. Although any semblance of plant life is long gone, many of the trees planted in the 70's still remain. I've been able to identify a grove of Olive trees...
a Cedar of Lebanon...
(L-R) a Sycamore, Holly Oak, Carob, and Cedar of Lebanon
three Italian Stone Pine trees...
producing fig trees, oleanders, avocados, fir trees, laurel, a pomegranate, and an array of Italian Cypress trees
Knowing very little about horticulture, botany or Biblical plants ( I've been checking out the city library's copy of Mr. Zohary's "Plants of the Bible") my learning curve will be extensive and time consuming. The parcel of land for the Garden is currently covered with wood mulch, crabgrass and knee high weeds. Besides a massive amount of weeding, Vince and his crew in the fall of 2002 cleared Several paths with 3” deep mulch’. Boy Scouts and folk from other churches are helping too. Vince has started a raised bed section 42’ x 72’ for flowers of the field.
Besides my need for knowledge, funding is my primary concern as well as finding the plants needed. Being in Southern California, our climate is very similar to the Mediterranean and many local, similar plants are available. Being a 501C3 non-profit educational center, there is no "congregation" to enlist for either contributions or volunteers. I am also trying to learn as much as I can about grant writing, fund raising and other gift giving avenues. Any assistance or guidance you can give (your Web site is very helpful) will be much appreciated. I'm not really sure why I've taken on such an overwhelming project, but I know my drive and ideas will be sustained by prayers and help from people such as yourself." Want to pitch in? Contact Vince! As of February 2, 2003, Vince writes, I've had several people come out to help with THE WEEDING!!! May soon have several more fruit and nut trees as well as a "Judas Tree", Christ Thorn and saltwort bush. Am looking for seeds and bulbs for the almost finished flowers of the field raised garden bed. The Cultural center has a "Green Faire" at the end of May which is a big draw in terms of plant loving people. I'm shooting for that date to have at least the "upper" half of the garden open to the public. As of March 27th... So much is happening I'm not sure where to begin. The raised flower garden wall is a good 65% finished. Been stalled by the main water pipe running under the path next to the wall. I have a water spicket in the path that comes right off the 4" water main that feeds the whole Cultural Center. I was told the maintenance crew would move it for me - when they have time - two weeks now! The garden was given a donation of five bare root trees - chestnut, walnut, almond, apricot and pomegranate. They were planted this month and are already showing leaf buds and a few leaves. The pomegranate seems to be having a problem. A citron (ethrog) was donated yesterday. The tulip, anemone and daffodil bulbs I planted in late January are coming up and should be blooming by May. Weeding is continuous and I sometimes think they're growing faster then we can pull them out. We've had a pretty good amount of rain for So. Ca. (15 inches) and a good amount of sunny weather. We lost 1/3 of our Carob Tree in the last heavy rain. Too much heavy dead wood at the top. I'm trying to find a professional tree trimmer who will donate the time to trim back our 30 year old monster trees. Trying to get signs, flyers and information for our partial reopening June 1. Hoping to have the existing arch restuccoed and painted by then. Wow! Thanks again for the support, it's comforting to know you're there. Vince. As of Feb. 4, 2008... Hi Marsh! Remember me?? I'm the guy that is still trying to get a Biblical garden going out here in Southern California....The Lord has blessed me with so many opportunites during [recent] years and yet has led me back to where I belong. Only this time instead of volunteering - I'm working as a paid contractor on many Gardens at this center. One of which is the biblical garden. • I've met with the members of a local church and have a firm committment from them to supply a 150 members work force to weed and clean the area. It's very overgrown since I left 5 years ago - 2 1/2 acres of it!! • Toro Irrigation Company has pledged to supply the irrigation equipment! Wow!!! The Lord does seem to really want this Garden to come to fruition. I'll keep you informed. I still have all the information I got from you in the past and it is still useful. If you have time I hope you can reply. Your assistence was welcome before and will be again. God bless. Stay tuned for the rest of the garden's growth! I'm ready to go BACK to other Garden Links. |
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