Planting Of Beach Plums To Help Protect Ocean City's Dunes

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Volunteers are invited to help Ocean City protect its dunes by planting beach plums.

The Ocean City Environmental Commission and the Ocean City High School Environmental Association will plant beach plums on the dunes along Beach Road at the northern end of Ocean City on Saturday, Nov. 18. Planting will begin at 9:30 a.m. rain or shine.

Beach plums are an important and valuable plant species that play a vital role in stabilizing and protecting beach dunes, according to Harley Cummins of the Ocean City Environmental Commission.

They grown naturally in the sandy soils across the Jersey Shore and bear an edible fruit, but they serve a greater importance than just food. They are able to thrive in harsh conditions and their roots penetrate deeply into the sand, creating a dense network of underground stems that help bind the sand and soil together to prevent erosion.

The beach plum seedlings will be provided by Jalma Farms of Ocean View. Alma George will be providing a brief presentation on the benefits of beach plums and how to plant the cuttings. (https://www.jalmafarms.com)

Volunteers are asked to dress appropriately for the weather of the day and to bring work gloves and wear hard-soled shoes. They are also requested to bring shovels (to dig holes two feet deep) and a bucket (for topsoil that will be provided at the site).