Fairy-Tale Farm

LIVING THE FAIRY-TALE ON THE FARM

In 2007, we bought the property next door to us as a tenancy-in-common with another couple. We own a percentage of the entire property, but the 50 X 50 square foot backyard is our little urban farm. We live in downtown Santa Cruz, in an area zoned for medium-density residential, which means we are surrounded by multi-units.  We could have put up a 3 story, 3 unit apartment, but the dirt was more valuable to us, in every way but financial.

The first year: weeds are slowly being replaced with peas.

I felt a sense of importance in keeping the soil alive and filled with plants, rather than paving it over with another apartment. So though we couldn’t afford it, and had to buy during peak prices before the housing market crashed, we like to feel we are preserving a little green space, for us and future generations.

Our goal is to be as self-sustaining as possible. We already have solar on our house, a beehive, and chickens, and grow most of our vegetables and some of our fruits.

We call our little slice of nirvana “Fairy-Tale Farm” since everyone told me it was a fairy-tale that we’d ever make a living off a simple piece of dirt.

Children enjoy fallen bean forts.

So we brought in wheelbarrows full of horse manure, planted cover crops, then planted an extensive vegetable garden. An avocado tree, (it died after some unusually heavy Spring rains) raspberry canes, and a chicken coop were put in the first year, among many varieties of flowers and vegetables.

I save as many of the seeds as possible to plant for successive generations.

Bringing horse manure to new heights.

But I wanted more then just a vegetable garden.  I am an artist and musician, but I also have Crohn’s disease, so working outside the home is a challenge.  I didn’t seem to be able to commit to figure drawing classes, so I thought I’d host them here.  I also have to be extremely careful with my diet, which makes eating out almost impossible, so we began hosting underground restaurants,  and later, weekly Summertime Salons which include figure drawing, musicians, a simple meal and coffee/tea for sale, and a kids craft corner.  Once we even had a goat come visit so all the children could try their hands at milking!

We  sell a little of our produce and edible flowers to restaurants.

The first summer

Most of all, we live, work, and eat in the garden.  My husband works remotely, so is often online under the rosebush.  I like to say he is commuting when he walks to the backyard.  We got rid of our car to reduce our monthly expenses, which helps pay for the property.  We can truly say that no gas is used to go to work, to shop, or to get the chicken feed.

I like to inspire people that they too can grow their dream.  I hope you come visit our little Fairy-Tale Farm.

Farm fresh eggs for breakfast are delicious!