keep it green>
green guide> gardening, urban farmering and recycling
a little green thumb and growing know-how goes along way. learn about local farm exchanges, composting, and drought-tolerant gardens that thrive in the east bay.
garden centers and local nurseries:
broadway terrace nursery: Upper Rockridge/Broadway Terrace
a gorgeous little nursery jam-packed with a beautifully orchestrated selection of healthy plants. fun to just stroll through the aisles pondering color combinations, annuals and proven winners. great gift ideas.
favs: seasonal color displays for planting ideas, unique annuals, gorgeous shade selections and perennial grasses. right next door to the village market, cafe and gift store!
4340 Clarewood Drive, Oakland, (510) 658-3729
thornhill nursery: Montclair
a large backyard garden oasis tucked away in the oakland hills off thornhill drive in montclair. huge selection of shrubs and small trees, along with a constantly changing supply of perennials.
favs: friendly staff, garden forest ambiance and large selection.
6250 thornhill drive, oakland, (510) 339-1311
berkeley horticulture: North Berkeley
worth the drive to north berkeley, this well-stacked nursery offers a diverse variety of native and seasonal plants, aisles of annuals, huge shade garden selection, and dry garden ideas.
favs: rhodendron collection, vines, marked horticulture gardens, professional staff.
1310 Mcgee ave, berkeley, ca. (510) 526-4704
CVS (formerly Longs Drug) (yes!): Rockridge
a surprisingly large selection of annuals and smaller perennials out front and a side garden center loaded with great perennials at great prices.
favs: herbs, annie's annuals, dry garden perennials, indoor plants, grasses + dirt. open 24-hours for the nocturnal gardener.
5100 Broadway, Oakland, (510) 654-3460
recycling, urban farming, composting classes and info:
Bay Friendly Gardening: Composting workshops (free), videos, information and discounted bins for Alameda County residents. 510-444-SOIL (444-7645), www.bayfriendly.org.
Edible EastBay Magazine: a quarterly print magazine that promotes the abundance of local foods in the East Bay celebrating family farmers, fishermen, fishmongers, food artisans, chefs, and other food-related businesses for their dedication to using the highest quality, fresh, seasonal food.
Forage Oakland: Share the bounty. Forage Oakland allows neighborhood growers to barter and exchange locally grown crops from eggs to meyer lemons.
Oakland Green Building Center: visit this resource center for ways of incorporating green building tips to your remodel or new construction project.
Oakland Recycles: www.zerowasteoakland.com/Page300.aspx
Stopwaste.org: visit Alameda County Waste Management Authority for info on recycling, composting and climate change.