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 39% of the entire property, but physically use half of the backyard as 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 and are zoned for 3 stories, 6 units per yard.

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

We have the last two properties that haven’t converted to multi-plexes, and 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 feel a sense of stewardship in conserving this land for gardens, and the neighborhood children. Our goal is to be as self-sustaining as possible. We already have solar, 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 to expect to profit off of this expensive piece of dirt.

The neighborhood 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 the 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.

We now host monthly underground restaurants,  and weekly Summertime Salons. We also sell some of our produce to restaurants and take their compost back to the chickens. We  hold figure drawing sessions in the garden, as well as outdoor music and house concerts.  Our events include all ages, as I feel there needs to be more venues that involve young and old together.

The garden now.

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 help pay for the property, so we can truly say that no gas is used to go to work or to shop.

I like to inspire people to get dirty and grow some magic.  The fairy-tale continues, one magic wish at a time…

Farm fresh eggs.