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Spring is in the air/my 3 gardens

Even though I live in the northern hemisphere, my thoughts are also
on spring as we slip out of summer and into cooler weather.  In this
part of California, this season is sometimes called the 'second
spring' due to the surge of growth and greening after the long, dry
doldrums of summer.  It is refreshing to find new green leaves
sprout among those withered and 'crisped' from the heat.  Some
winter growing perennials are rushing into growth (as are many of
our winter weeds!!).

But the main reason I'm musing on spring is because I know what I do
now will reap benefits later, so I feel the need to spend time
cleaning out areas, replanting, pruning, weeding, propagating,
laying mulch, etc.  I'm sure I won't succeed in getting it all done,
what with the needs of my family, work, the holidays, clients, and
other commitments all vying for my time.  But whatever can get done
will, and it'll be satisfying to make any steps towards the goals in
my own gardens.  Currently, I seem to be tending 3 separate and
different gardens:

My own home is sited on a fairly steep slope, with varying drainage
patterns (either it drains far too well or not at all!).  This
effect is augmented by the poximity of a very large and old Redwood
tree, whose roots run through ALL of the garden!  Add to that
virtually no sunlight until afternoon, especially during the winter
months where some area do not seem to be penetrated by sunlight at
all.  But the sun that does hit the ground is very hot and drying -
all at a time when most plants would like a siesta!

In this plot live a joyous abundance of plants (perhaps too many for
the space!) that tumble over each other with reckless abandon!  My
wife has become much more of an influence in this garden over the
years, and I generally bow to her interests and ideas as I do for my
clients (I find this more interesting than 'doing my own thing').
The plant palatte has become a little more restrained because of
this (I really do like the strange and bizarre!) but there is still
lots of unusual items.  She also loves 'rusty stuff' as I do, and
after the recent 'bulky trash pickup day' in my neighborhood, many
new items found their way into the garden!!

A second garden I deal with is a public succulent garden on the
shores of Lake Merritt.  This is a 30yr old (or more) garden was
created originally by the California Cactus & Succulent Society,
which still meets locally but has no attachment to this garden.  As
perhaps the sole volunteer, I have taken this neglected garden under
my wing and am redeveloping it as a means to experiment with a great
many succulent plants I think should be used more extensively in our
gardens.  I was just over there at lunch (it is handy to my office)
pulling down the finished Agave parryi bloom spikes (no easy task!)
and gathering some of the seeds.  Many of the succulents are
fleshing out in response to the cooler and moister weather, the
winter growing Aloes are forming handsome rosettes that will
certainly reward me with flowers over the winter.  Winter weeds are
also a problem here, needing unfailing vigilance to prevent total
takeover!  Some parts of the garden are still in neglect or have yet
to be developed.  If anyone local is interested in lending a hand
and learning more about these interesting and beautiful succulent
plants, please don't hesitate to give me a call!

A third garden I tend is adjacent to my son's school.  Merely the
verge of a dead-end street, this planting was started as a means to
beautify the area and discourage trash dumping.  It is farther along
that in previous years, but still yet to be developed very far.  I
plan to plant many types of dry growing mediterranean climate plants
as it goes mostly unirrigated, especially during the summer months.
With an eastern exposure, flat plan, and shelter from the Bay winds
(close to the waterfront in Berkeley), it does pretty well.
Unfortunately, since this spot used to be a railway yard for the old
Heinz57 (the famous ketsup) building, the soil is very shallow.  But
it was a great surprize to find a few lavenders in full bloom after
the heat of the summer!  If some of you have suggestions for plants,
or indeed seeds that can be spared, please let me know!  I intend to
writeup the successes of this project in the future.

Well, hope most of you found the above interesting - didn't really
mean to go on so much.  I guess it's been too long since I posted to
the group!!

 Sean A. O'Hara                     sean.ohara@ucop.edu
 710 Jean Street                    (510) 987-0577
 Oakland, California 94610-1459     h o r t u l u s   a p t u s
 U.S.A.                             'a garden suited to its purpose'
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