Terroir and Lot Numbers: Sophia 11
Field “Sophia” In organic certification we are required to track product backward through its production to the field in which it grew through lot numbers. Lot numbers say a lot (no pun intended!) about the product. Each field of lavender has a name: Sophia, Toyon, Natalie, Goatsong, and Labyrinth. The first part of the “lot… Read more »
P.I. relaxing Cat Strike! What are your problem pests? the Organic System Plan, the many-page form we update yearly, asks. There is no category for “cat”, just “other animals”. As is often the case, P.I., who owns the cool, dark basement storage area, (ideal for storing essential oils… Read more »
Thanksgiving Memories and Blessings
Casey and Melissa with Hosts (Angels!!) in Scotland Several years ago when my son Casey and his partner Melissa were on an extended European trip and backpacking in Scotland, our friend Norma arranged for them to stay with friends a few days to dry out and warm up. We received a… Read more »
Feasting Foodies or The Saga of the Organic Hay
A feasting “foodie” Feasting Foodies or The Saga of the Organic Hay It started like this: We got a notice from our certifier Demeter that an herbicide used in hayfields to control weeds was not breaking down through composting and was stopping the germination of seeds. We were… Read more »
Putting Oak Bark “prep” into manure ball. It’s a Messy Job, but Someone’s Got to do it! We wear gloves to insert compost preps. Once I didn’t―and, well, let’s just say, even lemon juice and Clorox didn’t help! We insert six biodynamic compost preps into the pile in… Read more »
Large load! Shoveling Sh_ _! Yes, it smells like it looks, and yet, it is like gold to us! Since we do not have cows on our ranch, and cow manure is the Biodynamic gold standard for fertility, Donald got two truckloads from Tresch’s Family organic dairy this… Read more »
Wood chips at base of live oak. Knock, Knock, Who’s There? Last week I discovered a pile of wood chips at the base of a live oak I walk and drive by each day on our lane. Further investigation revealed a three inch hole about five feet up… Read more »
Early November Report Sunlight pale as lemon juice, goats content to sleep in. We build fires, light candles, wear sweaters, clean leaves and dirt out of ditches, anticipate storms.
Making Mulch
Making Mulch In Napa County we are blessed with a free chipping service through Firewise, a community based fire awareness program to help reduce fire risk. This works well with our biodynamic mandate to recycle as much material as possible back into our land. We are always busy clearing downed wood and brush, and… Read more »
First Distillation of Rose Geranium
Moka and the new plugs of rose geranium before planting in May First Distillation of Rose Geranium Yesterday Donald distilled the first cutting of our May planted rose geranium, Pelargoniun graveolens roseum. The plant is incredibly sweet, vigorous, with many healing properties. This first hydrosol will go to Julia Faller of Bennedetta skin products. First harvest. We… Read more »
© 2026 Patricia Damery.
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