Home Page

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Fall at Bishop Ranch

Fall kicks off at Bishop Ranch with 80 to 90 degree days that could easily pass for summer just about anywhere else. Thankfully, the evenings cool off quickly due to shorter days and the coastal breeze that comes through the Hayward Pass each evening.


Fall leaves and summer flowering trees

The landscape at Bishop Ranch is conflicted – the leaves of the Liquid Amber trees are turning red, while the Crepe Myrtle trees still have blossoms in shades of pink and lilac.

A heron roosts in bare branches

Bright fall day

The baby geese and ducks have all moved on, but herons and Canadian geese still stop by the lake for a quick meal, or to roost in the trees. Shrubs and grasses that line Bishop Lake have gone to seed. I've collected a few seeds, and am curious if they are viable.

The red leaves deepen in color as fall progresses

The Bishop Ranch landscaping crew has been working on special projects, like planting a new bank of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), and trimming the grass clumps to foster growth in the next season.

My Example
Grasses in bloom

Grasses cut back for fall

Crepe Myrtle seed pods

A young heron lake side

Fellow co-workers still take walks around the lake and grounds, but often later in the day when it is cooler. Soon enough, the hot days will give way to cool fall days, fabulous sunsets, bare branches, and the discreet fall colors of the Mediterranean climate.


Early sun sets in fall

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Signs of Fall

While much of the country is cooling down, here in the San Francisco Bay Area, summer is just getting started. With our Mediterranean climate, we're heading out of our cool, foggy days, and into the hot dry months.

Golden hills of fall in Northern California

The winter rains typically don't start until late October or November, unless we have an especially dry winter or are in a drought. The land is parched and dry. Even gardens that use limited water are looking droopy. The hills surrounding the Bay Area are golden brown and tinder dry, and dotted with live oaks - creating the iconic picture of the California summer dry landscape. For us, hot and dry are the normal signs of fall.

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Fall Festival at Marra Farm

One of our South Park rambles with Mako took us through the Marra Community Garden. Recall we visited in winter, and saw the bones of the garden and lots of healthy looking kale (see Marra Farm Community Garden).

Marra Farm community garden in South Park, Seattle
Walking with Mako

When we visited this time, in late summer, the garden was filled with beautiful produce just starting to ripen, and within a month of harvest. The corn stalks stood high, and the ears were just ready to bulk up.

Giving garden

Corn stalks at Marra (note the slender ears of corn)

Beds were filled with a variety of squash, tomatoes, sunflowers, chard, lettuce, beans, and several types of pumpkin. Everything looked healthy and delicious.

Garden plots

Makes me wish were were going to be in town for the Marra Farm Fall Festival on the fourth Saturday in September. If you're in the Seattle area, find out more: Solid Ground 17th Annual Marra Farm Fall Fest.