Lot size: 400 sq. ft front and 1300 sq. ft. back gardens on tour, 70% native. Additional 500 sq. ft. vegetable garden
Garden Age: Garden was installed in stages, beginning in 2005
Years on the Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour: 3
Prior to their conversion, the front and back gardens consisted of water-thirsty, boring lawns—and one giant and overwhelming juniper. Today the gardens are a vibrant mix of more than eighty species of California natives and a variety of Mediterranean plants. In the spring clarkia and poppies bloom cheerfully between other native plants. Numerous kinds of buckwheats, including rosy, giant, and Santa Cruz, provide color in the summer months, complemented by various blooming dudleyas. In the back garden, vegetables are grown in raised beds. Kate’s partner, Cindy, designed and installed the small pond and waterfall. Kate and her niece, Serah, designed the landscape, which opens new sights and delights to visitors as they move through the gardens.
Other Garden Attractions
- Visitors are drawn to this garden, because it “looks like something the average person could do”; come and see for yourself!
- Thick mulch conserves water and out-competes weeds.
- The neighbors love this exuberant garden.
- Look for art pieces by artists from the National Institute of Art & Disabilities, and other artists as well.
- Don’t miss the “before” photos.
- Call your lunch order in to the Well Grounded Tea and Coffee Bar at (510) 528-4709, at 6925 Stockton Ave, inEl Cerrito. (You can see their menu on-line at Well-Grounded.com.) They’ll have your sandwiches ready to pick up when you want them. While there, taka a moment to browse next door at Jenny K’s for gifts, seeds, toys, jewelry, and more. Mention the Tour and both businesses will donate 20% of your purchases to support this event.
Gardening for Wildlife
The diversity of plants of varying heights, and the small pond and waterfall attract warblers, phoebes, California towhees, American goldfinches, chickadees, white-crowned and fox sparrows, cedar waxwings, Cooper’s hawks, and many kinds of bees and butterflies.
