This lush vision in green is the work of Daniel Penengo , who in just two short years has transformed a 3,000-square-foot yard into his vision of paradise called “ Little Uruguay ,” a nod to his native country and to an easier , more sustainable way of life .
“ Everybody likes to eat food . But very few people are interested in growing it ,” he says . “ Having a garden makes you really appreciate the work that goes into growing food . Especially in these smaller homes , like these 5,000-square-foot lots , it ’ s amazing what you can grow .”
The journey began in July 2020 , when Penengo purchased the house , where he lives with his six-year-old daughter , River , his partner , Margarita Robledo , and her son Daniel , fifteen . It was your stereotypical suburban home with the requisite lawn .
At the time , Penengo was transitioning away from his twentyyear career in education , most recently teaching literature at
St . Andrew ’ s School in Barrington .
“ I just couldn ’ t be in the classroom anymore , especially during COVID ,” he says . “ Here , I was outside all the time , and this garden was such a remedy .”
He started by laying pieces of broken fencing over the lawn to kill the grass and planting elderberry shrubs near the back fence .
He found seeds anywhere he could : Hungarian pepper seeds came
84 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l MARCH 2023