GardenBook

When I received notification that one of my preferred inns on the coast was opening I jumped on it right away. This lodging consists of several stand-alone cottages with no indoor common area, and check in and out were contact free. Funny to think that 6 months ago the concept of contact-free anything was  was unfamiliar. I felt comfortable with the protocols in place and booked a three night stay. The Innkeeper called me two days in advance to ask what my needs would be i.e coffee (hell yes) extra blankets, hair dryer etc. Cottages are left fallow for a day after each guest departure. Guests are provided with a mask, hand sanitizer and disinfecting spray cleaner if you wish to double clean what has already been addressed by the housekeeping staff. Happily the crappy Mr Coffee brewer was replaced with a French Press which was a coffee experience I hadn't had in many years. I might rethink my brewing equipment at home.  Along with the lodging, Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden...

 The edge of the garden bed is an element sadly neglected in my garden, and all too often descends into a collection of  plant debris, hollow snail shells and of course oxalis. Last summer I started paying more attention to the edge, but attention didn't always result in action. Often it was a matter of standing gazing down  morosely and thinking to myself  "that looks like crap, I need to plant xxxx " and then I would  wander off to be quickly distracted by the next thing my eyes fell upon; a de facto puppy/kitten.  Last week I spent a few days out on the coast and found I came back with quite a few photos of the edges of the garden beds at Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden. I've taken hundreds of images here in the last few years, and who knows what prompted me to look closer at the small details.  I've used golden Oregano as an edging, but it likes it here way to much, and I ended up digging it out. But I did love this combina...

 The Village of Mendocino is perched on headlands above the Pacific on the Northern California coast. Many of the early founders who established the town in the 1850's were from Maine and thus the eastern seaboard architectural influence is evident . Unique in our part of the nation, we westerners brave the serpentine  roads and flock out to immerse ourselves in New England charm.  And if that alone is not enough to attract visitors, its' location on the most spectacular segment of our coast ensures the tourist trade is robust year round.  Small pocket gardens are seen on every street, and this frost free maritime climate favors almost anything that doesn't need much heat ; forget about Bougainvillea, peppers and tomatoes. The average high temp here is 65 degrees, and I always bring winter garb no matter what month of the year I visit. Your lettuce won't bolt !  Grab your Dramamine for the drive out and come along on a stroll through the village.  Th...