There was a time period last year where most of the gas stations in Berkeley were closed down. Their signs were removed, the lots were fenced off, and the pumps were mysteriously wrapped in black plastic. Months later, they reopened one by one. Conspiracy theorize at will, I have no idea what was going on. But today, I drove by one of those lots that never reopened. In fact it was demolished with all of its parts removed including the gas wells. And now, I was shocked to see the entire property (still surrounded with chain link fence) covered in red clover. I don’t know if someone seed bombed it or if the land itself is growing the necessary nitrogen fixing plants to heal itself. Either way an old gas station lot, on a busy corner, transformed into a field of gorgeous spring time clover is a beautiful sight to behold.
I love how the last photo makes the corner of university and mlk look like the photos from antelope valley below!



April 10, 2010 at 17:45
I’d love to see a large sized version of the last image! Purdy!
April 10, 2010 at 19:35
I know! These came out tinier then usual, I’ll try to fix it. I guess to have even bigger photos wordpress wants me to upgrade. xo
April 11, 2010 at 06:30
It’s quite amazing how quickly nature begins to recover if left alone. This regenerative capacity is what gives off sparks of hope for the future of our planet after the madness of this civilization has passed.
April 12, 2010 at 12:06
Exactly!
April 11, 2010 at 11:09
whether it was seed bombed or a non human intervention, it is nature fixing itself, eh?
is this the medicinal red clover? there is a purplish clover that i harvest in maine that i always harvested for medicinal purposes, but this one i’m told is a crimson clover — is it medicinal too?
love your blog!!
/margaretha
April 12, 2010 at 12:08
I always use the purplish clover as well. but i think the red one probably has some medicinal qualities as well. i tend to think of it as more for healing the earth it’s growing in though. but that helps us too, right? thanks for the kind words!
April 11, 2010 at 13:01
From your SF neighbor here…I adore seeing such things. Thanks for the post. Great blog! I’m going to add it to my list on my own. http://www.TilthyRich.com
April 12, 2010 at 12:09
Thanks Ronnie! I’m going over to read your blog right now! Always nice to meet a gardening neighbor.
April 14, 2010 at 09:58
Wow! So cool… wonder if it was a seed bomb;-))
btw My signature is for my new site,
but I think you know me as ‘Bay Area Tendrils’
xo
Alice
April 14, 2010 at 10:05
Hi Alice! Good to hear from you!