December 2010
One year ago a group of buddies, Granny and I converted the derelict strip of earth near where Fito and I were attacked and began the beautiful garden that it is today... we turned hate into love, poison into medicine. We planted mainly Aeonium, Echeveria, Crassula and Brassica (red cabbage and purple Kale). We sprinkled cover crop seeds Trifolium and Vicia to help the soil stay rich in nutrients.
February 2011
The cover crops Purple Vetch and Crimson Clover came in quickly and they made a beautiful, thick green blanket where just 2 months before was a just a pile of clay and litter.
April 2011
The Vetch and clover grew HUGE and the garden was a mix of green, purple, and red. The bees loved it and at any time there were up to 8-9 species of bees at the garden! Mom and I also planted a beautiful white/green flowering Bougainvillea.
May 2011
By May the California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) that I had casually thrown on top the soil in late December were in full bloom. We cut down the cover crops to return the nutrients to the plants that would need it during the summer. We planted some cacti, agave and plants native to Chile, a Lotus called parrot's beak and another resembling the state flower the copihue.
June 2011
The cabbage, kale and poppies have grown HUGE too!
July 2011
These dry months gave the succulents and cacti a chance to mature. Many are now producing beautiful next generation babies. The ice plant ground covers are triving and even the 'weeds' (we call them 'plantitas') are welcome as long as they don't bully the other plants.
August 2011
Plants continue to accumulate and fill-in almost all the empty spaces in the garden. Its becoming one of the most biodiverse pieces of land in Berkeley! We always bring back beautiful stones and pebbles from our travels to enrich the cultural diversity as well.
September 2011
We had a big garden day on Sept 12, and my family from Livermore came and gave us VIVA FITO stickers! Then Fito's family came from Chile to be present during the difficult time that marked one year of Fito's passing. They planted a beautiful flowering vine and a Lavandula, the same species which Fito had planted at their house years before.
October 2011
The succulents are really happy and their colors complement each other so well.
November 2011
We had a special installation for Dia de los Muertos. Initially created in Garfield Park in San Francisco for the parade, these god's eyes, pictures and candles looked stunning in the garden. For thanksgiving we put some delicious fruits on the cut tree. With much love we planted a Parahebes from Australia to honor Bayfair, the beloved cockatiel we'll dearly miss.
December 2011
At one year old, the garden has already gone through probably 6 major 'versions' and is going stronger than ever. We expanded the area of the garden to the entire strip and for now that area is beginnig with Delosperma ground cover, Aeonium and a beautiful trumpet flowering shrub Datura. Eventually, the garden will need to survive without the daily care it has been receiving this year, so we are aiming to make it as drought tolerant and low-maintenance as possible.
If you have other photos to share, please send them on to amberdnelson@gmail.com.
Finally, many many THANK YOU's to everyone who has helped to make this garden special- Chuck, Jim, Kurt, Nathan, Hugo, Dennis, Ang, Bobby, Stephanie, Darryl, Alex, Shaleece, Rachel, Cecil, Nicole, Melanie, Granny, Mom, Dad, the Celedón's, Antonio from Flaco's, and surely many others.
