The South Coast Botanic Garden is definitely one of the real jewels within our lovely city of Torrance. The entrance is located on the East side of Crenshaw Blvd. as you go up the hill South of PCH. Visitors can spend a truly enjoyable day there just wandering along its paths and taking in the variety of special areas that are there. These areas are dedicated to just about any horticultural interest that one might have and, although the garden has a number of permanent employees on hand, a large amount of work is performed by local volunteers.

Several of these volunteers are members of RSVP and I went along on a Monday morning to track down one of our number as they went about their work. I eventually found RSVP volunteer, Josie Ozelton, applying her green thumb in a section called "The Garden of the Senses".

Josie said that she just volunteered to "do a spot of weeding" and was asked if she would like to be in charge of "The Garden of the Senses". Josie remarked that "They showed me where it was and I fell in love with it"!

All five senses are well represented in the area. The Juniper is nice to smell and is attractive to look at with its purple berries. There are also many other plants in the garden, including Rosemary and Wild Garlic to name just a few. One is tempted at the Marigold Bush by a sign that implores you to "Smell Me"! Touching and Tasting are also encouraged and the sense of Sound is simply provided by the singing of birds as they fly around the garden. Additional plants are supplied from time to time from the "Propagation Center" located in a remote section known as the "Back-40". A decorative arbor has also been constructed in one area to help train some Wisteria and this should make an attractive addition once it has started to cover it.

As we left Josie to her work we passed a group of children taking part in a Science Camp in one of the meadows and then paused to look at a delightful miniature doll's garden.

We also couldn't help stopping to admire the attractive and well maintained Rose Garden as we made our way to the exit.

As Josie says "Wherever you look there's work to be done", and the garden sponsors are always looking for volunteers to help them.

Marilyn Hart, Barbara Montgomery and Edward Weimer are also some of our RSVP members that volunteer on a regular basis at the Gardens.

If you like gardening and want to join these folks in their worthwhile effort, please contact RSVP at (310) 320-3322 and volunteer. Opportunities exist in the Volunteer Flower Garden; the "Back-40"; the Garden Maintenance area; the Propagation Workshop and as Docents. More information can be obtained from the "South Coast Botanic Garden" website: