A few years ago I started a garden project in my friend Ann’s large yard in San Antonio. The yard was previously mostly dead Bermuda grass lawn and a few struggling shrubs. My friend wanted something different, colorful, good for birds and pollinators, and producing food. On one side of the front yard I’ve planted a garden of adapted roses, bulbs, and native pollinator-friendly flowers. On the other side is a food forest of fruit trees and other edible plants, as well as more flowers for pollinators. My goal is for this garden to be a model for other folks to transform their own yards.
The most recent addition to the project is a regenerative food garden in the old laundry yard behind the garage. I’m creating this garden with my friend Vicky, who used to do landscape maintenance at the adjacent property but had to quit because the owner insisted on spraying pesticides. Our main focus is vegetables, but there are a few fruit trees as well. Sadly, a prized young Papaya probably died in the recent hard freeze. The goal is to provide all the vegetables the three of us need. (I’ll be eating some when I’m staying at “Garage Camp,” my tiny home in a corner of the garage, on weekends.) This is an example of a community project on a small scale. Ann provides the land and financial support for the garden, I provide the design and labor, and Vicky is now working here on weekends also. We’re all over 60 with various serious health challenges, but by working together we’re creating an oasis of life in this neighborhood. If we can do it, so can others!
What’s growing in the laundry yard garden:
Mulberry
Peach
Prickly Pear
Roses
Daikon Radish
Yellow Potatoes
Kale
Arugula
Bok Choy
Chinese Cabbage
Bunching Onion
Garlic Chives
Oregano
Lettuce
Carrots
Cilantro
Sunflower (native)
Turk’s Cap (native)
Bluebonnet (native)
Golden Crownbeard (native)
We can be the heroes of our own story. Join us in building a resilient, regenerative, and equitable culture for all life. Nobody is stopping us!
Everyone doesn't have to change at once, but WE can
Mass movement becomes revolution
Regenerative life