The Subtle Flirtations of Spring at Burbank's Gold Ridge Farm

Yesterday, I had occasion to be in the area of Sebastopol here in Sonoma County, Northern California and, on an impulse, I decided to stop in for a quick visit to the historical site where I volunteer much of my time, Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Farm, to see how far along the volunteers over at the Northern California Engineering Contractors Association had been able to get with the construction of the new parking area since I saw it last week. (You can read all about the generosity of NCECA and their gift to the Farm of a new parking lot in my recent article HERE .)

We've been having almost constant rain here in Sonoma County since I saw it last week -- as you can almost tell from this photo of the rainbarrel at one corner of the "Caretaker's Cottage":

So, I was afraid the work hadn't progressed very far but, when I arrived, I was heartened to discover that the plastic material and the layer of gravel over it had both been laid down.

The next step will be the application of the actual asphalt which will include the "curbing" along the edges of the parking lot along with the birmed landscaping area -- to be located on the left side of the above photo -- (to be planted with "Washington hawthorn" trees) intended to screen the view of the parking lot from our neighbors across the street residing in the "Burbank Heights and Orchards" low-cost housing development; however, I'm certain that activity will have to wait for an appropriately sunny day!

I had a few minutes of free time so I took a little stroll around the Farm and, in practically every corner, I found the encouraging, yet subtle, signs of an impending spring... 

While, at first glance, the stand of Burbank's hybrid lilac bushes look to be nothing more than a bunch of dead branches, upon closer examination, you can find tiny leaf-buds breaking out along their lengths:

Flower buds are showing on the Chinese quince trees:

But, the stormy skies overhead tell a different story... Here are some bare tendrils of one of the two Chinese wisteria vines at the Farm with those threatening clouds in the background:

The furry, brown "bean" seedpods of this same wisteria -- the younger of the two -- are just now popping open to scatter their flat, round, chestnut brown seeds in all directions (the older wisteria vine did this a month ago):

The long, dark, beanlike seedpods of the catalpa trees at the Farm are following in suit:

All plants with "beanlike" seedpods interested Burbank (there are many locust trees at the Farm, as well). He experimented not only with plants that bear fruit and nuts for human consumption but, since all beanlike seeds contain large amounts of vegetable protein, he was also very involved in breeding plants that might serve as potential fodder for livestock. 

The native flowering plants at the Farm are also doing their "prelude to spring" dance like this "miner's lettuce" and other small wildflowers:

These little, bright orange, native calendulas -- called "cup of gold" -- are everywhere, all over Sonoma County, this time of year, too: 

At that point in my stroll, I had to dash for my Jeep because the rain was starting to fall. It hasn't stopped since and today I actually drove through some slushy hail on my way to a friend's house. :o(

'Til next time, precious Gather friends!

Luv,

jean