Bring Back the Natives – Open (via Zoom)!

The Bring Back the Natives garden tour is an annual highlight for gardeners and nature lovers here in the San Francisco Bay Area. The private gardens are far flung – from Martinez to Fremont, Albany to Danville, and everywhere in between. Most gardens are water-wise, use California native plants, and are wildlife friendly. They are beautiful and inspiring and full of wonderful ideas. You really have to plan your tour to visit all the gardens you want to see.

Wildlife garden that provides water, food, and shelter

This year, COVID-19 stopped the garden tour cold due to lockdown and social distancing. This was devastating to both planners and would-be participants. Luckily, a few individuals sprang into action and re-architected the show from an in-person event to an online extravaganza to take place over three Sundays – April 26, May 3, and May 10. The event was kicked off on Sunday, April 26 with an online talk by ecologist Douglas Tallamy, author of “Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in Our Gardens” and “Nature's Best Hope”, and a virtual visit to the East Bay Wilds Native Plant Nursery with Pete Veilleux. Technology and some creative hustle saved the day!

Electric blue flowers of the native Ceanothus

Birds love this birdbath

To attend the final day of the virtual tour, you must register at 2020 virtual event. See View 2020 Gardens for photos of the gardens, and Bring Back the Natives to learn more about their mission and resources. Videos of the tours are posted to YouTube (search for "bringing back the natives garden tour").

Mix of native plants line the path

Regional Park Trails – Open (Six Foot Rule)!

I am yearning for the day we can return freely to our favorite East Bay Regional Parks. Many parks are currently closed. In other parks, the trails remain open for hiking, but the parking lots and visitor centers are closed. Gathering in groups for parties is not allowed, the 6-foot social distancing rule applies, and masks or bandanas must be readily available in case of close contact. If you can walk, bike, or bus to a park, you can get some exercise in the fresh air. If you're not as mobile, it may not be a viable option.

The Beautiful San Pablo Bay from Point Pinole Regional Shoreline

Before heading for a park, you can check the East Bay Regional Park website to learn its current status. Even with all the closures and limitations, I remain optimistic, and renewed our East Bay Regional Park membership for another year. Surely we'll have access to the parks again for long hikes and spectacular views! If not soon, the money goes to a good cause – maintaining green zones that serve as beautiful places for  exercise and contemplation, for our active urban population.

Cathedral of Redwoods at Redwood Regional Park

In the meantime, I can dream about some of our favorite spots, like the windswept shores of Point Pinole Regional Shoreline, the rolling hills and grand views of Wildcat Canyon Regional Park, the majestic stands of redwood trees in Redwood Regional Park park, the geology of Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, the botanical treasures of Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, and the sand and coal mining history of Black Diamond Mines. And many more just waiting to be explored!

Farmer's Markets – Open (Six Foot Rule)!

With so many venues and activities shut down and canceled, the highlight of the week is a trip to the grocery store! My husband and I gear up for early morning shopping with bandanas and our shared electronic grocery list, and tackle the task. We each have our specialty areas, and both are on the lookout for certain scarce items (we finally learned where to purchase rationed hand sanitizer).

Grocery stores have adapted to the situation with new strategies for crowd management, keeping the shelves fairly well stocked, and protecting checkers and baggers from customers with clear divider panels. They've also found ways to support the six-foot rule, by limiting store entrance to small batches of shoppers, establishing one-way shopping aisles, and marking off six-foot intervals at the check-out line.

Farmer's market in Montclair

Farmer's markets are still open, and also hold to the six-foot rule. The one in Montclair is much smaller than usual, but doing a thriving business in artisan breads, nuts, and beautiful produce. Other businesses are still open, such as Colonial Bakery and the EM Deli and Catering market (yes, donuts and rice are essential). A variation on the farmer's market is signing up for a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription, and having seasonal fruits and vegetables delivered. Grocery stores are convenient for one-stop shopping, but I also like to support our local farmers and businesses as much as possible.

Stay safe everyone, and look for ways to meet the challenges of the pandemic – six feet apart!