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Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture

Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture We are a 1.68 acre food forest and wildlife habitat, using only permaculture methods of natural soil Solutions come with a little patience and elbow grease.

In February, 2011, our property began its permaculture make-over, converting it from an erosion-rich palm tree and w**d lot into a functioning, sculpted water-catching and food-growing landscape and habitat by fall. Diane Kennedy, P.D.C., is owner and idea-woman behind the property and the Finch Frolic Garden business. Home of the Kennedy family since 1999, this 1.68 acre watershed property had gr

eat potential -- it's what sold Diane on it. The beauty of the wild natural streambed at the bottom of the property was part of the inspiration for a garden that brought together the needs and passions central in Diane's life: habitat, food, and beauty. An intersection of permaculture discovery, the need to make something of the place, and the chance moment in which the doing was possible (time, funds, connections, etc.), brought Finch Frolic into existence. The garden is a dynamic place of work, wonder, bounty, and beauty. We are always fixing and making something, but the garden is always giving. For information about booking tours or consultations, please visit http://www.vegetariat.com/ .

[UNDER CONSTRUCTION :) ]

Operating as usual

11/17/2022

The last Open Tour of Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture will be this Sunday Nov. 20th from 10 to noon. We also have for sale our jars of homegrown and homemade plum jam, guava jam, plum BBQ sauce, dill pickles, and more. We will open the gates at 9:30. Quantity is limited, but all are fresh, yummy, and make excellent additions to Thanksgiving or for Christmas gifts. We also will have frozen fruit from our garden so that you can make your own pies and smoothies. The garden will reopen March 1. Thanks so much for your support!

10/19/2022

We're on a mission to deepen our connection to the seed that sustains us.

Our dear friend, Don Tipping of Siskiyou Seeds is leading us in an immersive workshop, "The Source of Seeds", on October 29th and 30th.

We utilize these workshops to train our staff on seed selection, seed culture and various other nuances of building a bioregional seed bank. We would love for you to join us for this epic experience. Click the link below to save your spot today!
https://www.theecologycenter.org/event/source-of-seeds/2022-10-29/

Come join me at Murrieta Library this Saturday at 1.
09/08/2022

Come join me at Murrieta Library this Saturday at 1.

08/11/2022

We are cancelling the Sunday, August 21st Open Tour due to heat concerns. We plan on resuming our monthly tours on Sunday, September18th. Stay hydrated, safe, and be sure to care for your pets and wildlife! Thanks, Diane

This is what we need to do. These are water catchment basins planted with native grasses. The water is caught, sinks, ir...
05/08/2022

This is what we need to do. These are water catchment basins planted with native grasses. The water is caught, sinks, irrigates grasses, and spreads between to water native trees. The trees are protected from grazing animals. Soon it will be a forest, there will be water in the water table, stable soil, rich habitat and plenty of water for people to use responsibly. This doesn't mean lawns and thirsty ornamental landscapes. Here is the link to this video. Many more are posted on our Water Management playlist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPJ9T4yAEGs&ab_channel=DWNews

Parasites have been kept in check until 2000 when more people got involved: "From my view of the world, I see three anth...
02/28/2022
Monarchs have a growing parasite problem, and it's not from natural causes

Parasites have been kept in check until 2000 when more people got involved: "From my view of the world, I see three anthropogenic practices that have all arisen during the save-the-monarchs movement, and each of these probably has some influence on this, because of what we know about its influence on OE numbers. They are, in no particular order: 1) commercial monarch breeding operations, where thousands of monarchs are raised, sold, and shipped around the country for release. These monarchs are often infected with OE (we've checked). And, these operations are always touting that their monarchs are helping to boost the population 2) homeowner rearing of monarchs for release. If people rear more than just a few monarchs, their kitchen-rearing operations have the potential to result in major OE spread. 3) planting of tropical milkw**d. In places where it doesn't freeze, this milkw**d has been proven to enhance local OE spread."
So plant native milkw**d, or cut down your tropical milkw**d every Fall, and don't take caterpillars into the house to raise!

Hello everyone, This might be the most sobering blog post I've ever written about monarchs, and so I hope you pay close attention. I also hope that after reading this, you share it with every single person you know who cares a whit about monarchs, because this information should be shouted from the....

Get a glimpse into Finch Frolic Garden via Everything Fallbrook: https://everythingfallbrook.org/2021/05/22/take-a-virtu...
05/26/2021
Take a virtual tour of a local treasure: Finch Frolic Garden – Everything Fallbrook .org

Get a glimpse into Finch Frolic Garden via Everything Fallbrook: https://everythingfallbrook.org/2021/05/22/take-a-virtual-tour-of-a-local-treasure-finch-frolic-garden/

Take a virtual tour of a local treasure: Finch Frolic Garden May 22, 2021 Meet Diane Kennedy of Finch Frolic Garden. She is amazing at landscaping any space into a permaculture dreamscape!! One visit to her Finch Frolic Garden paradise and you’ll be hooked on having an organic natural self sustain...

Finch Frolic Garden's monthly tours are on the third Sundays of the month at 10. Come learn about how you can use permac...
04/15/2021
$Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture Monthly Open Tour [Fallbrook], Sun, Apr 18, 2021, 10:00 AM

Finch Frolic Garden's monthly tours are on the third Sundays of the month at 10. Come learn about how you can use permaculture in your yard. RSVP to [email protected]. More information is at www.vegetariat.com.

Sun, Apr 18, 2021, 10:00 AM: We are open with restrictions: All attendees MUST wear masks and keep appropriately distant from others. Miranda and I are taking the virus very seriously and still want t

Happy Tenth Anniversary! - *|www.vegetariat.com|*
03/11/2021

Happy Tenth Anniversary! - *|www.vegetariat.com|*

Pruning: the basics
02/25/2021
Pruning: the basics

Pruning: the basics

Pruning: the basics Posted on February 25, 2021 by Diane A young peach tree volunteer, pruned its first year for height and health. Pruning is a point of contention with me. If you plant a plant in the right place, meaning that it has room enough to grow to its full potential without having to be co...

Habits I’ll Keep Post COVID-19
02/02/2021
Habits I’ll Keep Post COVID-19

Habits I’ll Keep Post COVID-19

Habits I’ll Keep Post COVID-19 Posted on February 2, 2021 by Diane At our house we already repurpose and recycle, and mend as much as we can. The COVID-19 pandemic made us wonder about supply availability, food security, and even more about our footprint on this planet. As we live in a fire zone, ...

So sorry to lose Farmer Bill. If you don't know about City Farmer's Nursery, or of its origins, read about Bill's guts a...
01/31/2021

So sorry to lose Farmer Bill. If you don't know about City Farmer's Nursery, or of its origins, read about Bill's guts and determination to change policy.

We wish we were able to share this news personally with each of you, the way Bill would have: across the nursery's front counter - the place he was happiest - where you approach as a customer and leave as a friend.

On Tuesday, after a six year, extraordinary and uphill battle against cancer and liver failure, our founder, Bill Tall, passed away. He was at home, surrounded by the ever-present sounds of the nursery; the background music of a life well lived.

A true Individual - there was, and will only ever be, one Farmer Bill.

In 1972, at the age of 16, Bill came down to an undeveloped bit of land at the corner of Home & Euclid, putting in long days for nearly fifty years - days that he said never felt like work at all because he loved it so - Bill built a place unlike any other.

The youngest son of Nathan and Bertha Tall, from an early age Bill has been a tireless advocate for school and community gardens, children's access to nature, farm animals, and hands-on learning.

Bill was a multi-year president of CAN, the California of Nurserymen. He was a community business advocate, a small business proponent, and the founder of Nate's Deli (now Nate's Garden Grill). He did all this, and so much more, from his little bit of the country in the heart of the city.

Thank you for being with Bill and us through his journey. Our journey now, together, continues.

The nursery will pause business this week, reopening Thursday, February 4th, allowing our family and staff time together. Sunday curbside pickup will remain open. We thank you for your patience and grace as we mourn, gather ourselves, and prepare for a future guided by our founder's brilliance, heart, humor, and love for plants and people.

Services will be held on Friday, January 29th, at 1pm PST. Because of Covid precautions, we will be streaming the service - the link will be available at cityfarmersnursery.com

If you'd like to read more about Bill's journey and the folks who made it possible, please go to cityfarmersnursery.com/farmerbill

Visit CityFarmersNursery.com to view service recording and learn more about Bill's memorial scholarship.

Warmly,
The Tall & City Farmers Nursery family

We are excited to have scheduled an additional August Open tour, on Saturday August 15 at 10, because our regular Sunday...
08/06/2020
Vegetariat

We are excited to have scheduled an additional August Open tour, on Saturday August 15 at 10, because our regular Sunday tour is full. Please RSVP to [email protected], and wear a mask. See more information at www.vegetariat.com. Thanks!

08/02/2020

August Permaculture Tips - *www.vegetariat.com*

Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture has reopened for tours as of July, 2020. Our monthly tour will be held on the third Sun...
06/19/2020
Vegetariat

Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture has reopened for tours as of July, 2020. Our monthly tour will be held on the third Sunday of the month, and private tours can be arranged. We are capping our attendance to 10 people. ALL VISITORS MUST WEAR MASKS, and social distancing will be observed. Please respect the health of those around you; the COVID-19 virus is NOT gone, and we here at FFG Permaculture are taking all precautions to insure your health safety and our own. If you show up for a tour without a mask, you may not attend the tour. Please see our website at www.vegetariat.com for more information and directions. RSVP at [email protected]. Thanks, and be safe!

Slime molds identified at Finch Frolic Garden. ***WORK IN PROGRESS*** Not all species have been uploaded yet. :) Kingdom...
05/20/2020

Slime molds identified at Finch Frolic Garden. ***WORK IN PROGRESS*** Not all species have been uploaded yet. :) Kingdom (or unranked grouping) Protista

Protista is not a natural grouping like Animalia, Plantae and Fungi are, but instead is the mystery box of living things that don't fit into those other three kingdoms. There is debate even about whether Protista is a kingdom or not. But it's where we put the very diverse organisms we loosely refer to as "slime molds" for convenience.
(Some slime mold are in the unranked classification Amoebozoa, too, but it's all still very undecided, so we call them protists to save time).

Happy Earth Day!The ecological repercussions of our global lock-downs are one of the few and consistent bright spots in ...
04/22/2020

Happy Earth Day!

The ecological repercussions of our global lock-downs are one of the few and consistent bright spots in this difficult time -- if you're not seeing some of those types of posts in your feeds, definitely seek them out as a great way to boost your mood.

Also remember that citizen science is a vital resource for expanding our understanding of our universe. There are *tons* of citizen science projects out there, and many you can participate in from inside your home or within your own property. Even submitting photos you have from past adventures (as well as current at-home observations) to projects that will identify your organism is significant, as you're adding data points to the bank: each submission is a record that shows that organism is present at a particular time in a particular place and had a certain morphology (physical characteristics which can be different within the same species). The raw data that allows us to discover trends and make tailored management decisions!

Maybe check out eBird, BugGuide.Net (https://bugguide.net/node/view/6/bgimage), INaturalist, Butterflies and Moths of North America (https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/get-involved), Project Pond Watch (http://www.migratorydragonflypartnership.org/index/welcome?execution=e1s4), or Bumble Bee Watch (https://www.bumblebeewatch.org/). There are also plenty of projects that look into our galaxy or examine inorganic things on Earth. Take a peek at all the options at https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/ and simply web search "citizen science project" + a key term for something you're interested in. It will be out there, and it's an extremely useful use of your time and effort -- and just totally cool!

Stay safe, keep heart, find whatever you can to enjoy and keep yourself and your friends and family engaged!

Grow what you like to eat, plant mindfully, and don't be afraid to experiment. It's amazing what you can be chowing down...
03/28/2020

Grow what you like to eat, plant mindfully, and don't be afraid to experiment. It's amazing what you can be chowing down on after growing it yourself -- and you had complete control over what went into that part of your nutrition!

In the photo -- the day's harvest: Chinese white and pink celery, navel oranges, lettuce mix including the scrumptious Little Gem, and fabulously decorative and functional King Tut purple-podded peas squeaking together with all-green Wandos.

03/26/2020

Miranda and I send the wish of best of health to all of you. As this pandemic rolls over the world it is pulling us out of bad habits and making us focus on necessity. Gardening, working and talking with family, eating meals together, learning together, and especially, patience, are the other side of the coin from the fear. The biggest lesson is that we must plant food. Whether you have pots, a bright window, access to a community garden, or an acre, we must plant food. Ask how over the Internet. Read online books and blogs. Read the packet instructions. Look for perennial plants and fruit trees. Our lives will depend upon the availability and quality of our food, and now while we are home we can practice and learn. Let's make Victory Gardens again, for our own survival. Please do not use commercial fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, or any 'cide'. Ask questions... we are here to help!

BIRD ALERT: Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurusA new species for the property and a first ever sighting of the species...
10/28/2019

BIRD ALERT: Green-tailed Towhee, Pipilo chlorurus

A new species for the property and a first ever sighting of the species for me -- what a fall treat!

This devilishly handsome squeaker has been camping out around the little front pond we look out on from our bay window for three days in a row, now. The smaller size and grayer tone of this towhee compared to the big, brassy California Towhees twigged me to a potential unfamiliar face. Its lime-brushed wings and tail, rusty cap and neat, creamy throat patch I could easily make out in my zoom confirmed what I hoped -- our upgrade to three towhee species!

The Green-tailed Towhee has a call that's as noticeable and distinct as the Spotted Towhee's, although simpler and much more squeaky. It's wonderful to be busy doing other things in the house and hear those silly "merwee!" sounds filtering through the windows and know our new friend's still about.

'Tis the season for bird movement, and some welcome strangers are passing through all the time: keep checking in to try and make their acquaintances before they go!

Corn Stalks as Pea Stakes
10/24/2019
Corn Stalks as Pea Stakes

Corn Stalks as Pea Stakes

Corn Stalks as Pea Stakes Published October 24, 2019 by Diane Our corn grew to a ginormous 10′ height this year in our raised pallet beds. The roots of corn are very sturdy; we usually cut the stalks above the roots, and allow the roots to stay in the ground to decompose. Often they are there a ye...

09/03/2019

Its over 100F today, with very high humidity, yet most of our plants are barely wilted,including delicate squash leaves. Its all because of the organics in and on the soil. Several inches of mulch protect the soil and plant roots from heat extremes and accelerated evapotranspiraton. Burying sticks and wood under and around plants helps hold moisture and build microbial life. I've seen some scorched, stressed and dried-out plants at other properties, and they've all had all the leaves raked out and bare exposed soil. Keeping the plants hydrated will prevent them from catching fire quickly. Please mulch your leaves!

New Wildlife Camera Angle
07/11/2019
New Wildlife Camera Angle

New Wildlife Camera Angle

New Wildlife Camera Angle Published July 10, 2019 by Miranda POND FROLICS …A resounding success. This entry was posted in Permaculture and Edible Forest Gardening Adventures and tagged Animals, Ducks, Game Camera, Pond plants, Ponds. Bookmark the permalink.

Puppy Time
07/04/2019
Puppy Time

Puppy Time

Puppy Time Published July 3, 2019 by Miranda POND FROLICS Four silly yappi-yotes!We viewed the latest batch of wildlife camera photos the other day and were treated to a stop-motion movie of young coyote antics in the back of the little pond. Every year, we’ve only had the evidence of crepuscular ...

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Fallbrook, CA
92028

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NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION TEAM news!
The Mighty Oak Tree
The single most important plant in our native gallery is the oak tree, followed by willow. Oaks are habitat for over 300 species of animals and insects. They are long-lived, helping to shade the ground and nourish it with fallen leaves and sticks. Their canopy leaves help soften the impact of hard rain by shattering the drops into smaller and gentler droplets. Acorns have been a mainstay food for animals and humans for millennia. Oaks send out large side branches which become buttresses, helping to hold the heavy main oak in place even when heart rot, fire or insect damage may weaken the main trunk. Pruning an oak, sycamore or almost any long-lived tree into a lollipop form, such as in a park setting, will endanger and shorten the life of that tree as it ages. If you have the space for an oak, plant one, don't prune up the side branches and leave that thick oak duff. Your oak will survive storms for hundreds of years to come.
Photo and article by Diane Kennedy, Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture.
You can learn more from Diane by joining the Native Plant Restoration Team any Wednesday morning at 8:30am at Los Jilgueros Preserve! More info at https://www.fallbrooklandconservancy.org/volunteer
One of our favorite parts of Stagecoach Sunday is being able to introduce our members to some of our non-profit partners. Come out on Sunday and meet the permaculture experts of Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture, Project Wildlife's bat rescuer Cindy Myers, and the butterfly champions from Wings of Change!
Tickets for BBQ, drinks, and activities are on sale at FallbrookLandConservancy.org/stagecoachsunday
NATIVE PLANT RESTORATION TEAM news!
The Native Plant Restoration Team changed local temporarily to install a native plant landscape around the Palomares House. The landscape had become a collection of aging non-native bushes and trees which had been installed over time without a plan. Now thanks to a design by Diane Kennedy of Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture and the hard work of the NPRT, a selection of flowering native plants will act as a demonstration garden for those interested in native landscapes. It will also serve to reflect the purpose of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy at its headquarters. Much labor in the summer heat was necessary to remove stumps, pick-axe through hard soil, and make gopher baskets to line the holes. The NPRT volunteers outdid themselves in the heat. Special thanks to Ken Quigley to assist the team by reconfiguring the irrigation system to properly irrigate the less thirsty native plants and helping reset bender board. The native plants were purchased from Moosa Creek Nursery thanks to donations from FLC supporters, and are already putting on new growth and flowers. Our milkw**d even has some monarch caterpillars! Thanks to Wings of Change for delivering the milkw**d and donating wildflower seed!
Today at 4 p.m. don’t miss our YouTube livestream with Diane Kennedy of Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture.
I was reading about gardens, and I thought the Finch Frolic Garden would be a great place to visit. Are you guys open? Please let me know, I would love to stop by. Thank you
My video is online today! Please share to your timeline! https://youtu.be/X4EpVJMUkuw https://www.facebook.com/LateBloomerShow
Hey Everyone!
I want to share this informational photobook that details some great uses for end-of-life palm trees. Palm trees make up most of the organic matter found in landfills (aside from food) but using them in our gardens and elsewhere is extremely beneficial!
Tree San Diego CAL FIRE Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture

You can access it here:
Hey Everyone!
I want to share this informational photobook that details some great uses for end-of-life palm trees. Palm trees make up most of the organic matter found in landfills (aside from food) but using them in our gardens and elsewhere is extremely beneficial!
Tree San Diego CAL FIRE Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture

You can access it here:
Thank you for today!
Saw your photo and wanted share my Italian squash, trombochini (think) Grew one last season that was 5 feet long only because it grew up into my strawberry guava and then down. Picked it so it wouldn't fall on a small child and left it all winter on my front porch wall just because it was so interesting. Cut into it last spring and you're right. It was a perfect winter squash for 50.
Barbara Rowe This is Diane Kennedy's food forest we were talking about yesterday. Her tours are great and introduce Permaculture techniques. Ann Bellafaire if you haven't heard about Permaculture, this is the place to go. It is a smarter, more ecofriendly way to farm, save water, etc. You can farm the way we talked about. We are implementing these techniques for smarter, more efficient use of water. :-)
I can't thank you enough for all of your time today. You have helped us see the full potential of our space. We cant wait to get started! Bring on the rain!... After i dig the swails..... ❤🌳
x

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