Of the West

Hello Devoted Readers! We kicked off the Bike Tour in high style on Thursday night with a stay at the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, an intentional community and ecological education program in Sonoma County. Aside from luxurious hot tub and sauna, the real opportunity was found in the meandering gardens that grace the land. The following morning began with a tour and a work project, and it was remarkable how much food the garden was still producing. At a time when many gardens are winding down for the winter, this was an excellent reminder that the mild climate along the California coast is great for growing food all year long! OAEC had many examples of cold tolerant vegetables and greens, including tree collards, kale, cabbage, romanesco, and escarole. Our morning project consisted of weeding a bed of kale and then sowing a cover crop of vetch beneath the remaining plants. This was another important lesson because while it may be possible to grow food throughout the year in some locations, we must remember that gardeners are growing healthy soil first and foremost. Vetch, like all legumes, fixes nitrogen into a usable form with the help of symbiotic bacteria, and so helps replenish the soil with nutrients that our fruits and vegetables had previously removed. As we composted the plants that had been pulled and cleaned the tools, our minds drifted back to our own garden on Catalina and the exciting new crop varieties and techniques we might try when we return to the island! Many thanks to Doug and all the members of OAEC!