The Fifth Season

Summer dormancy. Judith Larner speaks of this time as being the Fifth Season in the Mediterranean climate of California, a period of summer dormancy that I also write about in Farming Soul: A Tale of Initiation. On our ranch, it is a time of doing projects we normally do not have time for: building a… Read more »

Mistakes: Butterfly Capers

If you look closely, you can see several monarchs in this butterfly bush in our garden. Butterfly bushes are touted as good plants to draw pollinators, but there are better, more balanced alternatives. I am not sure you would call it a big mistake, but upon attending the Geography of Hope seminar at the native… Read more »

Blue Wildrye

Gaviota and the silhouetted blue wildrye.  Some years ago we contracted with Judith Larner Lowry to identify native plants on our ranch so we might better understand how to support the unique mix of plants that are at home here. One of my favorite perennial bunch grasses is blue wildrye, seen here silhouetted against the… Read more »

Native Edibles: Miner’s Lettuce and Diversity

Miner’s lettuce A few years ago Judith Lowry Larner consulted with us about the native plants on our land. We want to support their populations, as they provide important habitat for native pollinators, honey bees, and many other animals. As Biodynamic farmers we work for diversity, and our native plants are an important part of… Read more »