Backyard Farming

We live on 1/3rd of an acre, in an unincorporated residential neighborhood in Santa Ynez, California. The house sits in the center of the lot. When we first moved in almost 18 years ago, the backyards were not much to look at. So excited to have land, we dabbled in gardening. Not until six years ago did we seriously begin the slow process of enriching the soil, composting, and farming. 


In the ground (updated June 14, 2012):
  • Heirloom
  • Heirloom 
  •  tomato
  •  tomato
  • Momotaro tomato
  • Sungold cherry tomatoes
  • cherry tomatoes
  • Artichokes
  • Purple, green and yellow wax bush beans
  • Kentucky Wonder climbing beans
  • Zucchini
  • Crookneck squash 
  • Stevia
  • Rosemary
  • Sage
  • Pineapple Sage
  • Basil
  • Bell peppers
  • Catnip
  • Strawberries
  • Cilantro
  • Italian leaf parsley
  • Asparagus
  • Marjoram
  • Oregano
  • Tarragon
  • Russian Kale
  • Japanese long cucumbers
  • Pickling cucumbers
  • Slicing cucumbers
  • Chives
  • Summer savory
  • Creeping thyme
  • Onions: white, red, bunching
  • Jerusulem artichokes
  • Globe artichokes
  • Violetta artichokes
  • Blueberries: Misty, 
  • Raspberries
  • Concord grapes
  • Red Flame grapes
  • Blueberry grapes
  • Loufa gourd
  • Eggplant
In the seedling trays (updated June 14, 2012):
(i.e. starting from seed and growing big enough to plant)

  • Fruit and Nut Trees:
  • Almond
  • Persimmon
  • Apricot
  • Pear
  • Nectarine
  • Plum
  • Cherry
  • Fuji Apple
  • Dwarf Peach
  • Arkansas Black Apple (not sure if it will get enough chill hours to bear fruit).
  • Brown Russet Apple
  • Olive
  • Pomegranate "Wonderful" variety
  • Pink Lady
  • Fig
Poultry:
  • 3 Cuckoo Marans (Lay chocolate and tan-colored eggs).
  • 2 golden Ameraucanas (Easter eggers; Lay sea foam green eggs).
Faraday Farm personalities:


Billi is the matriarch of Faraday Farm.
She is a 18 year old Queensland Heeler.
She's grey and going blind and deaf, but
she still keeps everyone in check. We've
nicknamed her "The Fun Police." 


Meet Lil' Miss! She thinks she's part human and part canine.
A sucker for ripe strawberries and a help around the yard.
RIP
March 2012

Meet Leina, the little white fox!
She'll dance for carrot peels and entertain
herself for hours with an unripe persimmon.

Leina and Billi hoping for scraps during dinner prep.


Wishbone the Russian Blue. He loves
snuggling into small spaces, especially
shoeboxes. When the oven's warm, he'll
sit above the top cabinet and soak up the heat.


Baby is Wishbone's sister. She is soft
like cashmere without a mean bone in her
body. She squeaks instead of meowing.
She spends her days being a baby: sleeping,
eating, playing and crying to be held.

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)