#14 Summer at the Butsu
The Heritage Orchard is producing plums
The Garden is Flourishing!
Garden at the Mendo Zendo
Growing in the Garden
In the vegetable garden, also known as our Pollinator Party Place, the artichokes, beans, broccoli, and kale are steadily increasing in size.
Artichoke
Peas
Pea Harvest
The Barn Bed has finished producing peas. Alongside the broccoli, volunteer sunflowers, poppies, and giant mullein are growing and feeding the bees. We look forward to harvesting the mullein and creating torches for the Winter Solstice from plants grown right here on the farm.
Mullien
Making a Home for Native Pollinators
Meanwhile, the beginnings of our native pollinator garden walk were ravaged by deer. They are not supposed to eat these plants, but apparently no one told the deer!
The ceanothus, also known as California wild lilac, manzanita, and yarrow were awaiting placement along the trail. They have now been safely relocated behind the garden fence. I planted the yarrow in the big garden, where it is thriving.
Yarrow is a resilient plant with a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine. Its leaves and flowers have been used to tend minor wounds and support digestion. In the garden, its broad clusters of tiny flowers create an inviting landing place for bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects. Each flower offers nourishment, while the plant itself helps bring diversity and balance to the garden.
Yarrow feels especially at home here, a plant of healing, resilience, and welcome.
The other native plants can spend the summer with the broccoli and mullein until we create a safe place for them along the walking trail to the river. They will need fencing and regular watering while they become established. This will be a wonderful project for the fall.
Growing Garden
Yarrow
Deepening Our Connection with the Forest
Bringing awareness to the plants and animals around us through sight, sound, scent, touch, and movement can deepen the experience of forest bathing. Our new Forest Tuning workshop with our partners Bee Bold Alliance will offer another way to slow down, awaken the senses, and become more present with the living world.
Encouraging pollinators, growing native plants, and bringing the heritage habitat together with the restoration of plant communities are all part of our stewardship of Big River Farm. This land was profoundly affected by logging, and each plant we restore becomes part of its continuing story of renewal.
Walking Trail at the MendoZendo
Inspired by the Natural World
This summer, in support of the Mendocino Land Trust, the Mendocino Eco Artists are exhibiting at Ravens Restaurant at the Stanford Inn by the Sea.
The exhibition, Celebrating the Natural World, brings beautiful artwork into a beautiful space overlooking the Pacific Ocean. My pieces Strawberry Dance, Cherry Blossom Song, and Fuchsias are included in the show.
I will be back in the Butsu, playing with printmaking and continuing to find inspiration in the garden, the forest, and the ocean.
Until next time…
Celebrating the Natural World
