Posted on June 18: Meet McMaster’s newest green thumb
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Barb_Rabickiopt.jpg” caption=”Barb Rabickiopt”]Barb Rabicki's favorite plant has three Latin names. To the layperson, it's called “bugbane” or “snakeroot,” a tall, fragrant perennial with purple leaves that thrives in moist, shady areas. But she's unlikely to plant it on campus just yet.
“You need the right place for it,” she says. “Most of our garden beds on campus receive full sun exposure, so we have to keep that in mind when we're selecting new cultivars.”
Rabicki has an Ontario Diploma of Horticulture from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor's degree from Western. Before joining McMaster's grounds team as the grounds manager last month, she was a parks manager at the City of Hamilton.
“McMaster is gifted with the most tremendous natural environment,” says Rabicki. “My goals will be to optimize the beauty of the campus, create compelling spaces for people to enjoy, introduce new landscaping ideas and enhance the natural beauty.”
In addition to tending to campus gardens, the eight full-time Grounds employees and 16 students on staff are responsible for pruning trees, winter control duties such as snow removal, athletic field maintenance, managing litter, waste and recycling, and emergency response to grounds issues.
“We're very customer-service focused,” says Rabicki. “We respond to calls from members of the campus community who need services such as beautification for certain events, equipment operators for moving heavy equipment, or barricades to help with events such as residence move-out.”
This past spring's high winds added some challenges, including litter control on campus, which increased with the bustle of student move-out.
The wind was also responsible for a potentially dangerous situation last month, when a tree near the faculty club blew over in the middle of the afternoon, hanging precariously over a footpath.
“The tree was at a 45 degree angle and the roots were lifting out of the ground,” says Rabicki. “Our staff responded immediately to drop the tree, preventing risk to passersby. Emergency response is critical to ensuring public safety,” says Rabicki.
Rabicki's team have been busy preparing the athletic fields and campus gardens, as well as enhancing McMaster University Medical Centre's courtyards. They have also assumed ongoing care of the Class of 54 Garden after the official opening June 5. 50 pink granite boulders have been installed to commemorate the 50 years since the class graduated.
“The major theme will be an oasis garden, with hundreds of colourful plants,” says Rabicki. “It will be a beautiful place to spend some quiet time in or gather with friends.”
So does Rabicki have any gardening tips for the rest of us?
This time of year, pay attention to lawn maintenance overseeding will help get rid of bare spots, and a thick lawn crowds out weeds. Mowing at 2.5 to 3 inches encourages good root growth and prevents weed seed germination. And home lawns do fine with just one inch of water per week.
Photo caption: Barb Rabicki checks a flower planter by the University Hall archway. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay
