Alisa Varney

I’m elated the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded my farm with a grant for their Pollinator Habitat Program (PHP). This will expand the existing plantings by adding a double hedgerow to surround the 8 acres, filling the interior with trees and adding wildflower meadows. My submitted design plan featured all CA natives with most self-sustaining after a handful of years even through drought. Some will have the ability to resprout following a wildfire. I’m eager to begin this new phase and support a greater diversity of native bees, butterflies, birds and other insects and mammals over the upcoming years.

Frothy porecrust, Irpex latemarginatus, doing its fungus job of breaking down and recycling wood in the raised beds.

Black Batflower @TheHuntington

White Batflower @TheHuntington

The first rain since April arrived and the flowers are responding with bright and robust blooms.

The feathery Astra Gold sunflower.

Due to its size, my garden might be a little messier than others which entices the small creatures. 🕷️

Everywhere Eyeballs Are Aflame, 1888 Odilon Redon (French, 1840-1919) Lithograph on chine collé

Head Within an Aureole, about 1894-95 Odilon Redon (French, 1840-1916) Charcoal and pastel with stumping on pink paper

During autumn, green lynx spiders reliably show their striking markings on the California buckwheat.

Only a few pears to harvest this year, making each one exceptional.

Plenty of lizards in that belly!

A great egret on the hunt outside the window.

Iris germanica ‘Bernice’s Legacy’ re-blooms for fall.

Zinnias sailed through the latest heatwave and are ready for a weekend bouquet.

Orpheus, about 1905 Odilon Redon (French, 1840-1916) Pastel on gray laid paper @GettyMuseum

Vase of Flowers, about 1900-1905 Odilon Redon (French, 1840-1916) Pastel @GettyMuseum

An inexpensive way to jazz up a plain structure is to display museum exhibition banners. There are a few hanging on the barn/ag building (with barn doors and French doors I’m not sure what to call it) and visitors love them.

Iris ‘Total Recall’ displays ruffled Sunday yellow.

As I was watching gophers pull plants underground to devour, Talkie Hawkie flew in to help monitor the situation.