El Cerrito Preschool Cooperative’s Garden
El Cerrito
Years gardened at this location: 3 years
Garden size: 800 square feet
Showcase feature: In the front garden, decades-old junipers and pyracantha were removed from in July of 2004, and a diversity of native plants installed. In the back garden, an old fort was demolished and asphalt removed in order to create a native plant wildlife habitat garden, which was later expanded around the perimeter of the backyard. In spring, wildflowers—especially the clarkia—are spectacular. Perennial shrubs—such as oceanspray, ribes, and coffeeberry, and vines such as honeysuckle and Dutchman’s pipevine—have been planted around the fence line in order to provide a woodsy feel.
Other garden attractions:
- Be sure to see the 'before' photos.
- Oak stumps were used as borders around the raised beds.
- The plants currently in the garden are the ones the gophers left; a number of others disappeared in short order.
Gardening for Wildlife: A variety of trees, vines, shrubs, herbaceous perennials, grasses, and wildflowers have transformed the front and back gardens into places for people to enjoy, as well as wildlife. A mister and fountain attract both children and birds—including chickadees, nuthatches, gold and house finches, Anna’s and Allan’s hummingbirds, robins, scrub jays, mourning doves, seagulls, mockingbirds, towhees, bushtits, and white-crowned sparrows. Native bees and honeybees, and a variety of butterflies now regularly visit this garden.