About Us

Gifts of the Commons - an introduction:

Hello. We are aspiring hillside homesteaders.

Tayberry

Collards & Kale

Pomegranates

Our interests lie in polyculture, low-impact living, inspired by various cultures around the world, and the joy of the daily gift of observing the cycles of nature. 

Our intention is to share our experiences of cultivating and connecting to this land. 

Harvesting and sharing fresh food and herbs is a favorite way of being with others.

~

Anise Swallowtail Caterpillar

Chrysalis

Constantly amazed by the way bodies thrive with plants we intend to explore and deepen this understanding.  We aspire to redefine our lives drawing from traditional ways and inspiration from the natural world.  Observing the short comings of the modern world and the push for expanding our dollar, rather we desire to align with nature's glorious green spaces.  Observing a caterpillar becoming a chrysalis in the dill, humbled and grateful, we see how our actions can bring forth life.  We are creating harmony within our living spaces, learning how to grow a world for humans and bees and occasionally gophers and cats, chickens, and turkey.

Food Forest: Sour Cherry, Apples, Nasturtium, Pomegranates, Irises

In 1991 this neighborhood experienced the scourge of the Berkeley Oakland Hills Fire. Everything was burnt to ground, aside from some Oak and Redwood trees.  John and his family returned to the site and rebuilt their home.  Before long the instinct to bring back the life that once thrived here and the opportunity of a barren garden presented itself.  What started as a desire to recreate the childhood surroundings of greenery and fruit trees has become a life long journey.  In the early 1970s neighbors joined to purchase and preserve 2 1/2 acres between homes.  What was planned to become approximately 20 new houses and a road is now a commons preserve open to the public.  About 12 years ago a portion of the commons was agreed to be garden.  We are honored to work on land that exemplifies an alternative to private property and are always seeking to erase boundaries and borders that divide people.

The climate by the San Francisco Bay allows year round gardening and an amazing variety of species that grow here.  We can now pick ripe fruit every day of the year.  This garden is a living example of alternative agriculture and a place for the cultivation of rare and common edibles, as well as other useful plants.  An inspiration for all to see that nature is ready for us to get involved.

~

In this blog will be shared updates on Currant Events, a section that will highlight the harvest in each season and the activities in homesteading.   We will carry on the tradition of sharing the abundance of fruits, vegetables and herbs.  Find pictures of the progress and the daily offerings present in front of the home on the sidewalk. Stop over; connect into local food culture and begin incorporating neighborhood cultivated ingredients with increased nutritional vibrancy.

~ The Hillside Homesteaders, John McClung & Allison Shiozaki