Tsuru Island
Behind the Scenes
NEWSLETE

Helpful hints:
Have you ever used Epsom
Salt for your personal use likesoaking your feet or for a bath?
Before you put it down thedrain, consider that this is
made up of magnesium andsulfate. This product can be
distributed as a solid or
diluted in water around yourplants and your lawn. Epsom
Salt is not really a salt but
rather is a pure mineralcompound coming fromEngland. It has an essential
element from the chlorophyllmolecule. Chlorophyll is what
the plant is missing whenleaves turn yellow on yourplants. Epsom Salt also has theability to allow the main threeelements in you plant food tobe absorbed by the plant.

Issue #6

Volume1
From my point of view theactivities and people behind thescenes are some of most valuable
resources for the garden.
The
networking that takes place is morethan could be expected.
This month's person has beenaround since the beginning of thegarden project, offering input,providing plant material, soils,pots, as well as equipment use anddeliveries.
For me there was noquestion who I wanted to install
our "one of a kind" garden path.
This month's focus is Ty Card. He
has also provided a connection tomore volunteers that have helped
us along the way. Scores of starterand mature plant materials
salvaged from refurbishments orleft over from commercial projects
have been brought to our nursery
to be used in any way we would
like. Some have been used in thegarden and some have been sold atplant sales to support the ongoingprojects of the garden.
To bebuilding a garden and have theavailability of mature plants for theproject is a huge gift, taking years
off the development time to havethe garden appear as though it has
been there for a long period oftime.
Cont. on page 2

May 2016

Behind the Scenes cont.

You can see from a

I and the volunteers do not take Ty’s generosityfor granted. He does not have to take the time
to save the plant material from work sites. It
takes extra time and handling to dig andprepare the material so that it can be re-planted.

garden the roof structure

While visualizing and designing the garden
there are many elements that need to be taken
into consideration. Most develop on paper andcan be reviewed and changed with added input
and consideration. The directions of thepathway system was solidified early on in thedesign process, however the patterns, layoutand type of stone were still unknown.
Complicating the situation was the fact that I
had reviewed dozens of pictures and visitedmany Japanese Gardens in the USA to see whatmight fit our situation best. If I liked thepathway, I would think about duplicating it to
our garden but adding a “special twist”
In the process of communicating with Ty, heunderstood exactly what we needed andapplied his own artistic touch and views. We
chose "variegated blue stone" and the process
began. The position of each piece of stone wasthought out considering the rock formations
already in place and the settings in theenvironment. Each piece was hand cut andplaced with the ultimate design in mind. The
end result is an offering of art that stabilizes ourgarden and provides us with that "specialtwist".
To say that this project has been a very
rewarding experience for me is certainly anunderstatement, especially when it involves myson and best friend. Thank you Ty

distance outside theof the pavilion (azumaya).
The setting/location of the structure is intentional andwas part of the original design.
As you journey along the path and come to the firstfoot bridge over the stream, one may be distracted by
the plantings that put out different colors each season;
reds during the fall and winter, fuchsia and purple inthe spring and yellow in the summer. Once turning
the corner to cross the bridge you get to see the fullview of the new structure. The materials, "clear
western red cedar", were donated by Carl Diebold
Lumber in Troutdale and a building plan waspurchased with garden donations.
With the plans in hand, the footings were set and post
brackets in place. Blue stone was placed strategicallyunder the posts. Each section of wood in the structureneeded to be cut into a specific profile and be ready toassemble in the field. Over a period of weeks thematerials were all machined and moved to the worksite by our group of dedicated volunteers led by Kent
Thompson assisted by John Harold, Big John, Tad,and Jim. Assembly started with posts and cross
beams. we assembled these pieces, took a series ofmeasurements and found we were within 1/4 of aninch from corner to corner on all four. The Roofing
has been purchased and will begin soon. Once themain structure is complete there will be some details
to take care of and some final touches to the interior.
There is not an assigned deadline for completion.
This is a labor of love and needs to be enjoyable andworked around weather conditions. The hope is thatthe structure will be completed in early June. Look
forward to next year in late April or early May when
the pine and dogwood that the Azumaya is nestled
between are pushing candles and showing off white
blooms. Bring your camera or watch for Tad's weekly
account of our volunteer work. It should be quite apicturesque scene.

Issue #6

May 2016

All those things to do:
Most of our dedicatedvolunteers come on Saturdays
from 9am until noon and you
may be one of them. Whatyou may not know is that there are other groups that cometo the garden/park for volunteer opportunities.
This past week a group of 50 people from the Portland
Adventist Academy came to volunteer. They worked
from 9:30 am until 2:30 pm organizing the City storageyard. This was the second year for this group. Last year
they had 22 volunteers contribute to the garden.
We look forward to the Gresham National Guard coming
again this July for 4 days. Last year they assisted with thebridge building and they bark dusted Main City Park.
About every other year we are offered by the East Hill
Church in Gresham to come for a day. Their date is setfor August 27th.
We are now in our 4th year of working with the Mormon
Missionaries for a variety of projects that take place not
only on Saturdays but during the week as well.
You may have realized that not all of our volunteer
projects take place at the garden anymore. We have
expanded to other areas of the park, Johnson Creek, thestorage yard and the "Resource Center".
We areprivileged to partner with several departments of the Cityof Gresham. We are glad to assist however we cananywhere we can.

Last month the announcement was made about placing signs
around the entrance of the garden. The sign closest to thebridge entrance identifies the 24/7 surveillance in the garden
for everyone's safety. Another sign is for the behavior of dog
owners while bringing their best friend to the garden. The
volunteers should be able to weed and prune and not worry
about what they may put their hand on or step into. There
have been incidences where bikes owners have lost theirbalance and the bike falls into the prize lace leaf maple that wehave been working with for 3 years. Or have caused damage
to benches and/or other visitors as they pass along the path.
Hopefully the signs will assist with these situations making it
more enjoyable to visit and work in the garden.

Issue #6

Chain-link fabric for the fencing around theResource Center. (Adopted by Gresham LittleLeague) The existing hardware will be used andpainted black Equipment is available
 A fence installer is needed
Replacing the lawn for the emergency path in-frontof the Resource Center (May)

Seed and soil provided

Prep labor is needed and a commitment to keep
watch over the lawn during the HOT months andprovide nutrients so that it will flourish.
Install an additional irrigation main line from thehorseshoe area leading up to the Resource Center.
 The Dingo with a trencher is available.
 The pipe and glue for the installation areavailable.
A team leader is needed.
Winter green installation for the “Turtle" on Tsuru
Island.
 Many more are needed for this area and will
be available to installed so that the area isfilled in.
Tsuru Island banners to be placed on the lightpoles between Main/Powell and Tsuru Island.
 Coordinating the installation of the banners
and installation of brackets that areprovided by Parks and Recreation. This isa one day project.
A project has been started with Sue Hughes andBill Peterson for the website for plant material
identification and information.

NEXT MONTH:
More details on theGarden Website
Questions / comments to:
gresham.japanese.garden@gmail.com

May 2016