[First post: 4/4/2008. Final update: 5/7/2008.]
Students remove pavers outside Mann Library.
On a spring-like April Fools Day afternoon, students in Nina Bassuk and Peter Trowbridge's HORT/LA 492 course (Creating the Urban Eden: Woody Plant Selection, Design, and Landscape Establishment) began a makeover of the Mann Library courtyard.
Where the Gimme Coffee trailer once stood, many student hands made short work of the initial demolition. They removed pavers and bricks to create areas that they prepared and planted later in the semester. That first day of work, they also spread a fresh layer of mulch on other planting beds around Mann Library.
The students' spring semester project also included planting the courtyard on the south side of the Plant Science Building that sits atop the newly constructed tunnel to the Life Sciences Building on the other side of Tower Road. On May 2, that garden was dedicated to the memory of George Good, who served the department as a faculty member for decades.
Dedication of George Good Oaks, May 2, 2008.
Peter Trowbridge (right), Chair of the Department of Landscape Architecture and co-instructor of HORT/LA 492, helps load pavers.
Nina Bassuk (center), Director of the Department of Horticulture's Urban Horticulture Institute and co-instructor of HORT/LA 492, supervises brick removal.
Students spread a fresh layer of mulch on the Centennial Garden between Mann Library and Beebe Lake.
Hauling soil to fill in new planting areas in Mann Library courtyard.
Putting the finishing touches on the transformed courtyard, moving potted curly willows into place.
East end of Mann courtyard after makeover.
West end of Mann courtyard after makeover.
Blank slate ready for planting between Plant Science Building and Tower Road, over new tunnel to Life Sciences Building.
Shrubs and ornamental grasses ready for planting.
Preparing planting holes and moving trees into position.
Laying sod on paths.
Guests assemble for garden dedication.