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Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Reflections on 2015

What a dry year for gardens! We had a few good soakings here in the East Bay, and several light rains out of season, but that’s about it. Everything was DRY, DRY, DRY all year. Only in the last month has El Niño brought some much needed relief.

At Eden By The Bay, we spent the year delving into drought and water issues, and looking for ways to adapt our gardens. Like replacing thirsty lawns with ground covers; embracing native and drought tolerant garden designs; and recycling water. We visited botanical gardens to learn more about plants compatible with our climate, and found nurseries that specialize in native and Mediterranean plants.


Bay Area Botanical Gardens
 
Wild Landscapes
 
Landscape Movement
Landscape with Polyphemus
by Nicolas Poussin
 
Drought
 

I did get dirt under my nails – planted some drought-tolerant plants in the front planter. They are thriving so far, with weekly water as their roots get established. I'm also covering some of the dry areas in the yard with mulch and bark, to save the soil as I transition to a new kind of gardening. I'm enjoying the challenge, but do miss the green, verdant rain forest of my childhood. Looking back, it was a great year for gardens and gardening, and learning something new.  CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR RAIN!
 

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