Northern California Gardens in Bloom: Joshua Grindle Inn’s New Gardener Transforms Gardens

MENDOCINO, CA (PRWEB) July 23, 2003

Typically known for its dramatic coastline, the Northern California Coast is blessed with an array of flora and fauna. A jewel in the area, Joshua Grindle Inn sits on two commanding acres overlooking the historic village of Mendocino and the Pacific Ocean. Ample rain, plenty of sunshine and the toil of one particular individual, Jose Camara, have transformed the property into an earthly delight.

According to Joshua Grindle’s proprietor Charles Reinhart, while the grounds and gardens enjoy the attention of all the innkeepers and staff at the inn, the keen attention of Camara, the inn’s recently acquired gardener who has successfully taken on the challenge of transforming the gardens, is especially commendable.

Perhaps most noteworthy is the discouragement Camara first had to overcome. He heard, “The salt and fog will overwhelm…,” “the deer and gophers will eat your bulbs and shoots…,” “with the strict water allocation, you’ll never be able to irrigate properly – your well will go dry trying.”

Reinhart says that Camara has proven even the most dire predictions to be wrong. “Proving the adage that success is 99% hard work and 1% inspiration, Jose has combined his love of soil and sunshine, a bounty of kitchen compost, and the invaluable advice of well-wishing local horticulturists to produce a drought-resistant herb and flower garden of stunning native plants and shrubs,” says Reinhart.

Armed with a few well-chosen tools and a naturally hospitable temperament, Camara has been pruning and preening the garden beds to a new and spectacular abundance.

The beautiful and lovingly maintained gardens beckon guests of this country chic inn to take a pleasant stroll and relax in Adirondack chairs on the lawns, enjoying their surroundings and perhaps catching up on some reading or a game of petanque under the Apple trees.

A native of Quintana Roo, Mexico, Camara and his family learned the business of fruit and vegetable cultivation. Every week, Camara and his father would take the farm’s yields to market in nearby Cancun.

Seeking a better life, in 1991 the 23-year-old immigrated to Mendocino with his uncle and acquired his first job as kitchen steward at the Mendocino Hotel. A succession of other kitchen jobs confirmed in Camara a conviction that his happiness would be greater if he could employ himself outdoors.

Ten years later, Camara accepted a challenge by Joshua Grindle Inn’s owners, Charles and Cindy Reinhart, to take their grounds and create a garden worthy of regional attention. He agreed, and the results have been nothing short of miraculous. Locals and visitors alike sing his praise.

Lisa, a recent visitor from San Jose, said, “I’ve never seen the gardens more beautiful! They have the feeling of traditional English gardens.” Joy from Kansas said, “We went to the Mendocino Botanical Gardens yesterday and we all agree that your gardens are more beautiful.”

Consisting of groupings and raised beds, the mature and drought resistant (necessary in this drought prone area, as the village is entirely dependant on well water) gardens include a rainbow of large Rhododendron and Azalea bushes, Heritage Rose bushes , century old Apple and Ornamental trees.

In addition to the Kitchen Herb Garden (which contains Peppermint and Spearmint, Parsley and Coriander, Sage, Chives, Borage, Dill, Purple Basil, Squash, Italian Oregano and fragrant Rosemary for the Inn’s scrumptious breakfast items), the property is ablaze yearlong with blooms from perennials that include Lavenders, Hydrangeas, Penstemons, Delphinium, “Naked Ladies,” Fleabane, Aster, Cala Lilies, Mexican Sage, Mexican Poppies, Astromeria, Gladiolas, Fuschias, California Poppies, Native Grasses, Nasturtiums and much more. In containers, Pansies, Snapdragons, Primroses and Sweet Peas are abundant.

Reinhart extends an invitation to enjoy their bounty. “Next time you visit the North Coast, stop in Mendocino and come to the Joshua Grindle Inn,” he says. “Bring Jose a cold drink or a coffee and maybe he will give you the secret of his mole and deer repellent!”

The Joshua Grindle Inn has also teamed up with the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens to offer a “Botanical Gardens Backpack Picnic Package,” available now through October 31, 2003.

More information is available on the inn’s website at www.joshgrin.com or by calling the inn at 800-GRINDLE.

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Note to Editors: Images of the garden and gardener are available to download at: http://www.joshgrin.com/gardens.htm

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