Hollywood 1: Dearborn

A quarter acre parcel abandoned after a failed grading and hillside preparation for a residential structure. The dry compacted degraded granite ‘dirt' with a 20% grade was mostly inhabited by ground squirrels and pioneer species ‘weeds’. 

In 2021, with permission from the owner to ‘reduce fire hazard and beautify’, SSC made bamboo terraces from giant bamboo poles, backfilled with a truckload of organic matter made from aged horse manure and topsoil. 12 cubic yards of tree mulch added to cover exposed land. The soil was inoculated with bio complete compost extract both on the surface and two feet below, heavily seeded, watered, covered with alfalfa and straw and watered 3x/wk. Compost was regularly made onsite and applied once again after chop and drop cycles. 

By 2024 giant yellow Tithonia flowers tower above the fence line remaining perennially green, attracting bird life and beauty, dropping nitrogen fixing leaf litter. The transformation is recognized by the neighbors as a success. They pick from the abundance of Passion Fruit cascading from the once barren chain link fence. Unfortunately, the property was sold and we lost access but the land remains a green habitat and wildlife corridor until the construction recommences.