I always make time in the busy summer to enjoy the garden’s changing personality. Cherry“harvest” by the birds has given way to a couple of sweet plums from the ancient tree in front of the Barn, and at last the strawberries are producing their sweet fruit. Volunteer poppies are now the red accents in the garden, as the sunflowers continue to stretch to the sky. No flowers yet.

Plum tree at Big River Farm

Plum welcome at the gate

Peas are just about done, sunflowers are growing, Volunteer poppies dance along the front of the stage.

Poppies in the garden

Sitting in the garden, relaxing under my umbrella, listening to the quiet noises of the country-bees buzzing, occasional airplane overhead, motorcycles roaring by, I feel at peace. Contemplating the next burst of art, looking around for inspiration, I notice the flowers are inhabited by a variety of pollinators, busy gathering pollen or nectar. The hummingbirds love the aloe plants, swallowtail butterflies flit around the anise, bees hum into the comfrey flowers.

Most of the garden has been planted with annuals, except the various perennial plants that come up year after year, planted by unseen hands that once inhabited this communal living place. After the Zen Commune disbanded, the garden was the place that the next round of residents gathered to share time & bounty of homegrown fruits & veggies. Flowers joined the fray, as we realized that the emotional blessing of beauty from flowers is just as important as food. Roses line the edges of the fence line, and their fragrant beauty add to the quality of time spent in Our Pollinator Party Place.