They Bought the Store

A “funky, old and defunct 1906 grocery store” became home to Ron and Whitney in 1977. By 1979, Ron had added a second story to this corner lot home. A mere 12.5 feet on the west side accommodates a deck and a few planters.

With literally no yard (the structure is in on the property lines), a thin strip of soil around the south and east sides of the house became an ambitious experiment in curbside gardening in 1985. Trees and small shrubs were “squeezed in” around the perimeter of the house. Look for a Gravenstein apple tree, a plum tree, a pear tree, vine maples, a striped maple, Kousa dogwood, Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus), and Japanese maples.

New plantings slowly expanded to formerly grassy parking strips. Six 10’ x 4’ raised beds were added on the southwest corner and filled with a generous mix of fruits, vegetables and flowers. At the western edge of the raised beds is a raspberry bed and a cutting garden filled with roses, dahlias, zinnias, spring crocus, violets, and bulbs.

This small urban oasis is beautifully imagined by determined gardeners. “We started with nothing, and just love working in the yard for beauty and food! Everything is an experiment and can be changed.  We are enthusiastic to see and pick our flowers, fruits and vegetables which we share with our neighbors and grandchildren (who live two blocks away and decimate our blueberry crop). Living on a corner, we have gotten to know so many delightful people who walk by with their dogs, one cat, and their families; we love where we live,” said Ron and Whitney. They hope that you will enjoy this experience as much as they have.