This first year garden has transformed an unkept lot into a garden that strives to produce and delight. An initial effort focused on establishing perennial beds and hardscaping along the perimeter. Mixed with common flowers, many fruit-bearing perennials were planted, including blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, peaches, and currants. In addition, the backyard has several raised beds dedicated to standard rotations of spinach, carrots, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, beans, peas, and peppers. Fitted with cold frames, these beds also support a winter garden. The front yard offers space for warm season vegetables like squash, melons, and cucumbers. “Key principles guiding this ongoing transformation,” says gardener Erik Ostergaard, “are conservation (including an 800 gallon rain water collection system), waste recycling in composting bins, and organic gardening using natural products.”