Ramon says the grapes are in veraison, meaning the they are ripening and sugars are forming. He wants me to taste the grapes, but when I do, I spit them out reflexively, tasting no sugars! He thinks the harvest may well be earlier this year than last. He is proud of the full, abundant bunches… Read more »
The vultures circle high above the meadow. There has been a kill. I try not to be sentimental, but still, I wonder: who is left?
First Feel of Fall
First Feel of Fall We felt fall for the first time today. “Is it going to rain?” Donald asks. “No prediction of rain,” I say. In our Mediterranean climate, we hope not. Rain brings dampness and mildew to grape clusters. But the sky is troubled with dark clouds and the winds whine in the tree… Read more »
Stretch of meadow to the south is an important animal corridorOur guard llama protects the goats. Loud, piercing coyote howl in the meadow in the early hours of the morning—then a whole pack of yaps dying off to the south. I hope they were not hunting the fawns of the mother doe I saw browsing… Read more »
Leo and Moka take a dip. The irrigation pond, shared with our neighbor, is about half empty, but there’s still plenty of water for a morning swim! Building the soil over these years has allowed us to irrigate the vines only two or three times a season, at most, and only if needed.
The new lavender (grosso) plants are full and looking very healthy. We continue to feed them every two or three weeks with compost tea. It has been a year now since they were started from cuttings from our own stock.
Chardonnay grapes in evening. Late July is a time that Ramon is particularly vigilant in the vineyard for mildew in the bunches. He says he smells it if it is present as he walks through the vines. We spray fermented equisetum tea (508) at the new and full moon (a ground spray, which encourages the… Read more »
Calyxes opened and sucked dry! When the bees stop visiting the lavender, we know it is time to prune it down into its mounds. We leave a certain percentage for the bees and other pollinators: now it is completely bloomed out. Starting today and over the next month, each plant will get a careful shaping… Read more »
Remember that madrone leaf I photographed in April, the tree I feared was in its last season? Look at it now! The leaves are clear and without the tell-tale spots of Sudden Oak Death. Pacific Madrone’s fresh green leaves. Which begs the question: is it healing? Madrones do grow new leaves in summer, and the… Read more »
Biodynamic Compost Preparation 505: Oak Bark
Oak bark of Valley oak Biodynamic Compost Preparation 505: Oak Bark This is one of the plants our ranch grows in abundance. Rudolf Steiner specified the bark of Quercus robur, the common oak in Europe, whose substance of bark is about 77% calcium. In United States, the White oak is often used. Our native White… Read more »
© 2026 Patricia Damery.
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