The gardens look a lot better after last weekend

Lindy Ruddiman and Kevin Hansen,
in the vastly improved Wood St. backyard

Those of you who have visited on Wood Street in recent months doubtless retain a vivid impression of the sad state of Jean's garden projects.  For example, it would have been painfully accurate to describe the area adjacent to the garage as a jumble of weeds and potted roses, plus a persimmon tree that had outgrown its pot and seemed determined to stay put.  And then there was the orchard, where the weeds were even higher, and after many years without pruning, the fruit trees sported a tangle of crossover branches.  Not to mention the side yard, hard to even walk through with the rose canes arcing six feet from the neighbor's fence right up to the the house, and coils of crabgrass underfoot.

Last weekend saw some improvements. On Saturday Nick Galloro came over, rolled up his sleeves, and by the time he left the side yard was a paragon of verdant decorum.  Crabgrass gone; one could stroll from one end of the house to the other on a wide swath of landscape fabric, without a rose prickle even coming close.  John Gregorin and Susan Torngren came over too, working in the backyard.  Weeds gone; there are now three slightly elevated plantings, containing the roses that used to be in pots.  And after a mighty effort, that persimmon tree now has a permanent home at the back of orchard, near what we Alamedans call the green belt.

More friends came Sunday.  Lindy Ruddiman and Kevin Hansen went out to the orchard and pruned the apple trees. Kevin also drew up plans useful for installing an automatic sprinkling system, on that blessed day when the Wood St irrigation technology becomes more contemporary.  And Ted and Noah Hayes came over and staked down landscape fabric on areas of the backyard that John and Sue cleared Saturday, but which have not yet been planted.  The photo shows Lindy and Kevin posing by the handiwork of John, Sue, Ted, and Noah.

Thanks to all seven of you for your help.  Of course much remains to be done, much.  But after long months of neglect, the gardens have a fresh start.