This has been another wild year! Our "back to the land" theme, with its focus on our residential lot in the San Francisco Bay Area, was perfect for Year Two of the pandemic. Even with restrictions lifting a bit, thanks to vaccinations and good practices, it was good year to continue staying home. We used the time to explore what our property has to offer, looking at its role as a "homegrown national park", a source of materials for dye projects, and place to relax and enjoy nature.
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| Red camellia |
Plant Aquarium
We learned more about some of the trees, shrubs, and plants that grow on our urban land. Some are native, some are not.
| Polypodium |
| Juniper |
| Oak |
| Toyon |
| Pittosporum |
| Liquidambar |
| Hollyleaf Cherry |
| Chinese Elm |
| Hawthorn |
| Magnolia |
Enjoying Nature
We enjoyed the seasons and the local birds and critters that visit our residential yard. The small plot is part of a larger virtual "wildlife corridor" that provides water, food, and shelter for urban wildlife and migrating birds.
| Signs of Spring |
| Summer Time |
| Fall is in the Air |
| Winter is Coming |
| Red-Bellied Sapsucker |
| Enjoying Winter Moss |
| California Scrub Jay |
| Where are the Hummingbirds? |
Garden Projects
We're working on garden infrastructure in preparation for future projects, and enjoying the yard just as it is.
| Soil Restoration Under the Oak |
| Wood Chips Under the Oak |
| Oak Patrol |
| Symphony in the Garden |
| Raised Bed Prep for Fall Greens |
| Farewell to the Chinese Elm |
| Dyeing Fabric with Plants |
Seeds to Dye For
This year I sowed seeds for several plants that are good for dyeing fabric - calendula, coreopsis, and marigold. I tried solar dyeing for the first time, using calendula flowers.
| Seeds to Dye For |
| Seeds to Dye For: July Check In (Calendula) |
| Seeds to Dye For: September Check In (Coreopsis) |
| Seeds to Dye For: November Check In (Marigold) |
| Dye Project: Solar Dyeing with Calendula |
Excursions
As the pandemic drags on, even an outing to the grocery store becomes an adventure! My husband and I made a few special excursions to remind us of normal life.
| Van Gogh Immersive Experience |
| Judge John Sutter Regional Shore |
| Benicia and the Delta |
Books and Movies
We traveled the United States and the world vicariously with famous British landscape gardener, Monty Don, to enjoy plant movie stars. We also learned more about the mighty oak tree and its lifecycle.
| Winter movies: Prairie Gardens Southern Gardens Western Gardens |
| Summer movies: Southeast Asia The Med India |
| The Life of an Oak |
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