36 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} TOP (left): Arched trellises will support cherry tomato plants as they grow; (right) Denise’s artwork adorns the labels of her preserves, made with her backyard harvest. path between two planting beds is lined with arching trellises that support cheerful cherry tomatoes in summer. Every fall, a crew from Pine House replaces the tomato, pepper, cucumber and basil plants with winter vegetables like beets, broccoli and Swiss chard. Every two years, Denise has Pine House do a “freshen up” to replace any plants that are past their prime. “They’re so on top of stuff, they know all the new plants and new styles,” she says admiringly. Every other week during peak season, the crew comes out to do a heavy harvest, which keeps the plants producing. Denise finds ways to use or preserve it all—she is the kind of person who cannot stand to see food go to waste. “I do a lot of canning and dehydrating,” she says, and her artwork decorates the labels of her canning jars. Leslie has been the recipient of everything from fried zucchini blossoms to Denise’s “excellent” jams. The Shackletons’ yard is featured in Garden Wonderland, Leslie Bennett (pictured above) and Julie Chai’s 2024 book, published by Ten Speed Press. pinehouseediblegardens.com EARLY STARTS Here are landscape designer Leslie Bennett’s top picks to plant in Peninsula gardens this winter: + STRIPED FIG: Also called a panache or tiger fig. “It’s a small, pretty garden tree, and the fruit is super delicious.” + MEYER LEMON: A hardworking evergreen that thrives in large pots as well as in the ground, and produces fruit yearround. “We’re in California, everyone should have one.” + ROSES: Instead of a formal rose garden, sprinkle them throughout your landscaping. “There aren’t many other flowers that have such a big bloom with such a long bloom season.” Leslie sources unusual varieties from Regan Nursery in Fremont. + AEONIUM CANARIENSE: A great border-edging plant, this evergreen and cold-hardy succulent thrives on the Peninsula. “It adds a young, cool, updated look to the garden.” + LEUCADENDRON ‘EBONY’: This hardy, winter-blooming plant has dark burgundy leaves that appear almost black. “It’s beautiful in all seasons, and it’s dark, so it makes a great contrast in the landscape.” While Woody wasn’t terribly interested in their home’s edible garden at first, his appreciation has blossomed. Denise recalls her husband being wowed by the intense flavor of the first tomato they harvested, so unlike anything from a grocery store. “He said, ‘Oh my God, that’s the best tomato I’ve ever tasted!’” she laughs. “I said, ‘It’s also the most expensive!’” GARDEN PATH PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: DAVID FENTON
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