May 2025 the gardens are starting to mature as we evolve our polyculture systems, the watering schedule, and establish the perennials and trees. We are focused this year on those things and observing which plants the local bees favor so that we can support the bees as our top priority. Next year we will look more to food production to feed our guests.
As we move toward the close of summer looking back is the natural thing to do. I generally think of spring as the beginning of the year. Winters rest and planning leads to action in spring which results in produce in summer. Then as autumn approaches I feel the need to reflect. This year we started our "farm" officially and brought this wonderful puppy into our lives. Emma does eat some of the berries but we have more than enough. We nurtured a fledgling business - Mendo Vibes Sauces & Pickles - to help support our local friend and help him get his passion off to a great start. He is now selling his sauces locally. We had a few gatherings here on the land to cheer our local community and commemorate our coming to this amazing little town. We remarked at how we have made a huge crowd of friends here within weeks of our arrival, something we have never experienced in any other place in America! We feel incredibly blessed as we move our project forward, facing all the challenges and triumphs with equanimity. We have found peace, here in Willits CA. We hope you'll join us here one day!
Update Spring of 2025
The effects of simply caretaking the land, removing dead branches and weeds has opened nature up and the wildflowers are coming back in! Restoration of meadow flowers is top on the list - for the bees!
Here we have simply removed the old fences that cut across the land. These were all from the cattle ranch days, and while they were useful at that time, there is no need for them on our project. I say "simply" but it was a lot of work to pull the posts. It's rewarding to see how beautiful it looks after the winter has given the land time to recover. Scott and I are so honored to be the custodians of this beautiful place.
