L and 2nd Garden

The garden, summer 2005, as it was

The remains of the garden, winter, 2009, as it is now

This little garden was maintained by George Swazo a homeless man who now has some flowers near Target. It sat right along the bend in L Street that ends L and becomes 2nd Street.

Most probably missed it as they zipped by in their cars. It varied in size and beauty depending upon the season and the amount of time its maintainer had.

The Garden came and went with the seasons. As of November 2004 it was being re-planted, but then again it perpetually changed! With the major US holidays festive decorations adorned the garden, and as new items became available they appeared in The Garden, often spray painted colors like pepto-pink. Plants came and went, whether perennials, cacti, or annuals. The Garden seemed to be a temporary art installation, somewhat like a sand painting or balanced rocks.

There was a California Aggie article and interview with Swazo about the garden in June of 2006.

Photo 2004. Photo 2004. Photo 2004.

From a randomly found Craigslist posting:

As we have all noticed, along 2nd street (just out of downtown, the near 90 degree turn) there are many plants immaculately taken care of. If you are a frequent driver you would notice that it is actually a homeless man who does our city this lovely deed. I stopped by on my bike today to talk to him.

He was very kind, a little blunt. He told me of his 12 hour workdays and cold nights. He has been doing this work for three years now. While PG&E does supply free water and the city does allow him to use their topsoil from time to time, he does not receive money for food or equipment and plants. Yes, it would be ludicrous to demand a minimum-wage for this man, but I do not see why we couldn't gather up some spare change and help the man out. He did mention he receives social security but that isn't much.

He mentioned to me that he is in dire need of the following:

1. Numerous hoses - his are leaking

2. A shovel (as wide as they make them)

3. A wheel barrow

4. And of course, cash donations. Regardless of what the money is spent on, he unselfishly does us a great service and I feel that if you have the money to spare, help him out.

More photos

2004

The garden (2004).

2005

Shopping cart and garden. (summer 2005)

As of October '05

Yes, that is a painted tumbleweed as a bush.

2007

July 2007

2008

Art is always a fickle thing. This appears to be a Halloween inspired installation.

The above Halloween display in context.

2004-12-01 23:12:45   I was all ready to offer the guy something, but then read the out-drinking him part and was a bit annoyed. Most people don't drink that much and I sure as hell won't be able to out-drink him. I know the last part was probably well meant, but it really annoys me. —MarieHuynh

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2004-12-02 13:46:33   I used to live near there it sprouted up in the year 2002 when I got to Davis it didn't used to be there. Also the neighbor kids kicked the garden down initially. I know about plants and the reason that most of his plants die seasonally is that he plants annuals(they die after their season is done) someone needs to get him some bulbs or shurbs to keep some permanence instead of dead flowers ever 6 months when it gets hot or cold. —RyanBasilio

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2005-02-07 17:43:19   The Empty Prize did a piece on this little corner of our world today... Davis' favorite gardener is named George Swazo Empty Prize article —AlphaDog

That was an excellent article about George. :) —JackHaskel

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2005-10-21 15:23:17   I talked with him today after seeing this page, and he was about to attempt making a scarecrow for Halloween. When asked, I told him how I heard about his garden. He said someone had mentioned seeing his garden on the internet, but he never believed it. He was shocked and appreciated that people would take pictures of his work because they liked it. PS: His new additions are several cacti from cuttings he took. Cacti can be very dangerous for someone with his vision problems, but he thought they would look nice. —AllisonEriksen

• That was probably me. I lived at the Arbors at the time and cut through there, running into him now and then. Nice guy, very chatty. —JabberWokky

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2006-11-08 17:14:06   He put up a campaign sign once, bob dunning noticed this and there was an upproar becuase it is city property and the city can't endorse / take positions. The sign was removed promptly —StevenDaubert

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2007-04-27 09:55:23   Anyone know whether he's still doing this? I couldn't see many plants last time I passed nearby. Though I have seen him at the movies within the past few months. —EdHenn

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2007-09-23 14:55:55   yeah the garden isn't much these days... —DavidCrow

Alas if I recall, the garden seems to be not much at all... These days... —StevenDaubert

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2009-12-29 09:49:43   This garden has been demolished, the ground cleared, and a gigantic, 4 ton pile of rocks dumped on it for a railway construction project. Edit: MAY IT RISE AGAIN!!! —EdwardNiemand

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2010-02-17 03:18:27   He's apparently moved to the section near Target, though apparently some (insert unflattering string of expletives here) woman came by and stole all of his buckets, despite being told by someone that they were George's. —Flynn

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2010-07-02 13:19:18   Yeah, I saw those buckets over by Target the other day, too. I hope his garden is back! —Angel.York

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2010-07-03 11:05:52   Friend of a friend says that George is probably legally blind—if somebody walked off with his buckets, he'd never find the things again. —Angel.York

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2010-07-31 09:05:47   I think this guy has moved his garden to the driveway across the street from Target. —DagonJones