John Conry's garden
El Sobrante
Garden Lot size: 5,670 square feet, 40% native plantings
Years gardened at this location (Gardening Experience): Total 14 years at this location.
Years on the "Bringing Back the Natives" Garden Tour: 2 years
Showcase feature: Seeking beauty and privacy, John has transformed this corner lot. The crabgrass lawn that covered most of the garden was dug out by hand; with 90% of the lawn gone, only two small, remnant patches of grass remain. In place of the lawn, John designed and installed a series of artful, interesting, and inviting spaces for people and wildlife alike. Plan to linger; you won't want to hurry away from the serenity of this garden, with its variety of welcoming seating areas. While he began planting with Mediterranean species, now John chooses only natives. Removal of the ice plant in the parking stip is this avid gardener's current project.
Other garden attractions:
- Weeds are pulled by hand.
- Raised beds provide drainage for the natives, while water drains naturally through the Sierra Gold fines and Golden Pathways gravel paths.
- The neighbor's redwood fence was recycled and now surrounds the small vegetable garden. Check out the espaliered Fuji apples!
Gardening for Wildlife: Hummingbirds, bushtits, song sparrows, Wilson's warblers, downy woodpeckers, and hooded orioles love both the garden and the water-filled terracotta saucers John thoughtfully puts out for them. Lizards, snakes, and bees are also comfy here. Last year, a swarm of honeybees called the garden home for a short while, nestling in the white sage before settling elsewhere.