Earlier this month a group of volunteers created swales and planted fruit trees as the first step in creating a back yard Food Forest.
Here is a video created by the generous and public spirited homeowners Nick and Kirsten that, for me, captures the joy of the day.
 |
| The site last December |
 |
| Before concrete removal |
 |
| This is what we started with on the day |
It was the last in this series of "Seed Plot" creations offered by Benicia Community Gardens.
 |
| A load of tree chips arrive (even before we have a place to put them) |
 |
| Such is the delightful, joyful chaos of community installs |
Surprise! Abandoned electrical and water lines were an unexpected twist to the morning. They were probably serving a spa, or other system, long ago before the current owners.
 |
| This swale was 15 inches deep when complete |
 |
| There was a lot of love here |
 |
| Nikita (Left) is designated 'Director of Cheerfulness" |
 |
| Big Aeigshelski hoping to find snacks in the newly arrived chips |
 |
| Aeigshelskis doing the under table clean up at lunch |
Now the gloves go on!
After lunch we might expect that the pace would ease a little. Not with this group. Lunch over the shade structure was moved allowing the marking out of the final swale. With great zeal the digging crew moved in on the thin line of flour marking the place to dig.
Digging was actually easier in the areas previously covered in concrete. The concrete acted as a form of mulch to retain moisture.
 |
| Planting Blueberries and Gogi berries |
 |
| Filling the swales with tree chips |
Long shadows creep over the site as we end the day. Swales dug. Seven fruit trees planted.
Were they available on the day we would have put more tree chips in the swales, which will also act as paths.
I would like to give credit to the
Occidental Arts and Ecology Center with the inspiration for the title of this post. I saw an "I" version of the title on one of their tee shirts. There was also an image of an "A" frame. Great message.
There is a part two relating to this home in Benicia. Next comes a laundry to landscape greywater system. To find out what that entails please visit our friends at
Greywater Action
And finally:
DVC Horticulture Summer Blowout Sale
Friday May 22nd
We will be blowing out our stock of Annual Edibles on Friday May 22nd from 2-5.
We have Tomatoes and Peppers aplenty, all ready to be given a good home for the summer.
Our Pittosporum, Coyote Bush, Bog Sage, Roses, and Plumbagos are also at blowout prices.
We
still have some gift arrangements and rare fruits available at regular
prices as well as our wonderful selection in the galleria.
We have rainbarrels for sale, use the summer to set up next year’s system.
Get information on our summer and fall classes!
We are located at DVC parking lot 9, down by the Garden.
Enjoy the ides of May.
David
925 286 7225
Surprise! Abandoned electrical and water lines were an unexpected twist to the morning. They were probably serving a spa, or other system, long ago before the current owners.
After lunch we might expect that the pace would ease a little. Not with this group. Lunch over the shade structure was moved allowing the marking out of the final swale. With great zeal the digging crew moved in on the thin line of flour marking the place to dig.
Long shadows creep over the site as we end the day. Swales dug. Seven fruit trees planted.
Hey David, Congrats on all the things you are working on!! It's very inspiring. We hope to see you soon!
ReplyDeleteJim, Karen, Brenna, Colin and Ryan (our new baby boy!!)