Landscaping: Two Year Report

 We are celebrating the second anniversary of our “new” landscape! It’s a good time to take stock and see how the garden is progressing. Rebecca Kolls of Rebecca’s Garden says that in the first year perennials sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap. In this post I’m providing a two-year report, comparing progress against Landscaping: One Year Report; Landscaping: Six Month Report; and Landscaping: Finished. Time flies!

Path to the rock garden (Bobo the Husky in the shade to the far right)

The landscape was designed as a wildlife garden with keystone plants for food and shelter, inspired by Doug Tallamy’s work to promote personal landscapes that provide wildlife habitat. The Bird Buddy bird feeder (with camera), hummingbird feeder in the side yard, and terracotta bird bath provide for our avian visitors. The native plants and grasses provide food and habitat for birds, squirrels, and insects. The mighty oak provides deep shade for plants, animals, and people.

Path under the oak canopy

We have become more familiar with the plants, weeds, shrubs and trees in the landscape, and have developed a monthly maintenance schedule for its care. Our professional landscape maintenance team comes once a month and contributes experience, labor, and knowledge to landscape maintenance. Some of the annuals that were planted as succession plants have died off or come back with fewer plants. I could scatter some annual or perennial seed mix, but honestly, I’m enjoying the more “edited” look with fewer plants. That may change, because I do miss the bursts of annual color scattered about the yard.

We’ve lost some plants, which is to be expected. We planted a few replacement plants in November, taking advantage of the winter rains to help get the roots established. Most of the plants are happy in the place they have been planted. The garden is fairly low maintenance (once you know what is required), but weeding is definitely needed.

Path to the lower yard

After reviewing the new landscape, I am satisfied with the progress made over the last year. Most of the original plants are still alive and thriving (coming to the end of the “creep” phase). So far our only change has been to plant two Japanese maple trees in planters. They are thriving and have benefited from aesthetic pruning from our landscaping maintenance team. I’m looking forward to observing as the perennials move into the “leap” stage of their development in the new garden!

Trip to Mendocino

My husband and I recently visited Mendocino, California for a short trip. Mendocino is located about 160 miles north of Oakland, so is very accessible, and is a favorite spot to explore and enjoy life. I wanted to see the Mushrooms & Color Exhibit at the Mendocino Art Center, and my husband wanted to take photos of the sites and landscape. We decided to bring Bobo the Husky, thinking that a short, three-night trip would be a good test case for possible future trips.

This would be Bobo's first road trip with us, and possibly ever. He loves riding in the car, and took the very curvy Highway 128 from the 101 over to the coast like a champ. The stop at Navarro Vineyards & Winery and their wonderful dog park was the perfect place for a quick run and long drink of water. He needed to blow off some steam (I got a good work out as well, trying to keep up with him)! 

Crossing the Richmond Bridge

Farmstead on the way

Our other trips to Mendocino have been in the fall, when the hills are golden and the leaves are sporting fall colors. This time the hills were green and lush from spring rains. Traffic wasn't bad either, especially once we got past Petaluma.

We checked into The Andiron Inn & Cabins and settled into The William and Maude Suite. The Andiron is very dog friendly, and we put their Pet Kit to use right from the start (protective sheets to cover furniture, towels for rubbing down a wet dog, poop bags, home made dog treats, and a personal greeting welcoming Bobo to the Inn). The suite has two rooms, a kitchenette, and a wide front porch. Bobo seemed right at home and enjoyed a walk around the grounds (the chicken coup and goat pen were especially compelling for him). He seemed a little nervous around his dinner time, but looked relieved when his dinner appeared at the usual time in his yellow bowl.

The cabins of The Andiron

Bobo the Husky eating dinner at the usual time

Cozy room with a hair dryer chair

Mendocino as a community is also very dog friendly, which made our first trip with Bobo so pleasurable. We like to eat breakfast at GoodLife Cafe & Bakery, and learned that they have a small park behind the restaurant that is perfect for a dog family to eat together outside. We ate pizza for dinner inside at Frankie's, so Bobo experienced his first time eating at a restaurant (there was an outdoor seating area, but it was already dark and the staff was closing for the day, so they allowed it). For the other two evening meals, we ordered food to go from Flow Restaurant & Lounge and Patterson's Pub, and brought them it back to the Andiron to eat by the fire place.  Very cozy.

Breakfast in the park at GoodLife Cafe & Bakery

Taking a walk while waiting for our Patterson's Pub To Go order

During the day we walked along the trails of the Mendocino Headlands and frolicked in the waves of Van Damme Beach. We brought a 15' leash to give Bobo a little more range, and he thoroughly enjoyed it! I photographed a few late-season mushrooms and harvested some lichen that had blown down in a big wind storm.

Van Damme Beach

We left Bobo in the car for several very short stints, while we did a little shopping at the Mendocino Market, Mendocino Jams and Preserves, and The Highlight Gallery. It was probably harder on us than it was on him, but we wanted to see how he would do alone in the car in short bursts. After all, not every place is dog friendly, or appropriate for a big, energetic dog. Bobo did great, but always seemed happy to see us upon our return. Overall, we found Bobo to be an enthusiastic traveler who embraced every activity with gusto.

Driving back home through the coastal redwoods

We learned a lot on our inaugural trip with Bobo. Advanced planning and research is vital for travelling with a dog. Unless you plan to camp, you need pet-friendly accommodations and restaurants (or order to-go). You need to understand the rules when staying in a pet friendly motel; there is typically a daily fee and you probably cannot leave a pet in the room while you are away. Some motels, attractions, or communities offer kennel service, but you may need to book in advance. Others do not offer such a service, so you may not be able to participate in some activities at your destination.

As when travelling with children, its probably best to stick with the same basic schedule for meals, downtime, and bedtime as you do at home. You also need to provide a water source, snacks and treats, and ensure your pet's comfort and safety. Exercise and downtime are as important on the road, as they are at home. We're looking forward to future car trips with Bobo the Husky!

Mendocino Mushroom Exhibit

While on our recent trip to Mendocino, I attended the Mushrooms & Color Exhibit at the Mendocino Art Center, presented by the International Mushroom Dye Institute (IMDI). At the Art Center, Miriam Rice experimented with mushroom dyeing; taught classes, conducted workshops, collaborated with artist Dorothy Beebee; and worked with fabric artists from around the world. I was interested to see the exhibits as well as the Art Center where so much pivotal work occurred.

 

Mendocino Art Center

The exhibit included beautiful textile pieces created with fibers dyed with mushrooms. Some of the mushrooms used include Cortinarious phoeniceus, C. californicus, C. croceofoliuos, Phaeolus schweinitzii, Hydnellum aurantiacum, Omphalotus olivescens, Boletus edulis, Gymnopilus spectabilus, and more. The variety and intensity of colors is incredible.

Mushroom Wedge Weave, by Ellen Athens
(wool)

Scarf of Flowers, by Nancy Denison
(felted wool and silk)

Spine of the Woods, by Erika J. Gottl
(Shibori silk scarf)

Part of the exhibit was dedicated to records kept for the mushroom dyeing experiments. I appreciated seeing the various ways to keep a dye journal, incorporating color swatches, written word, and illustrations. I can relate to the thrill of discovery and the scientific bent to record the details in order to share, reproduce, or alter in future projects.

Dye journal entry for Cortinarius phoenicieus, var. occidentalis

Dye journal entry for Cortinarius semisanguinea

Dye journal entry for the Dermocybe spp. group, within the genus Cortinarius

Another dye journal entry for Cortinarius phoenicieus, var. occidentalis

The Mendocino Art Center is a wonderfully inviting place for artists, art students, and museum visitors. Several buildings provide classrooms, studios, and residences. The grounds provide a courtyard, garden, and garden art installations. The whole environment invites creativity and collaboration. 

The inviting grounds of MAC

A view to the Pacific Ocean and Mendocino Headlands

It was a pleasure to see the exhibits and dye journals from Miriam Rice's days at the Mendocino Art Center, and to walk the grounds where she taught and worked. I'm inspired to try dyeing with mushrooms for myself!