Raven Ridge Homestead

Raven Ridge Homestead Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains ~ Follow along as we garden, harvest, cook, build, teach, learn

05/30/2026

The hummers are out in force tonight. They love to fuel up right before dusk.

We have 6 feeders and each of them is ferociously guarded by a male bird, although they usually allow the females to sip undisturbed.

You can hear the "hum" and chirping, in addition to our chickens, the woodpeckers, and two quail feeding on the lawn.

Scabiosa, often called pincushion flower, produces delicate blooms on long stems that sway in the breeze and attract a s...
05/30/2026

Scabiosa, often called pincushion flower, produces delicate blooms on long stems that sway in the breeze and attract a steady stream of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

The more you cut them for bouquets, the more they seem determined to bloom.

They thrive in full sun, tolerate our dry summer conditions well once established, and provide color from late spring well into fall.

Even after the flowers fade, the seed heads add interest to the garden and can be left for birds or dried arrangements.

We currently have 5 different varieties, including Paper Moon. It will re-seed, so make sure you like where you plant it!









Kurt pulled the lid for dinner and said it did not look or smell good. We'll, that is Thursday, Throw Out!Chickens got: ...
05/29/2026

Kurt pulled the lid for dinner and said it did not look or smell good. We'll, that is Thursday, Throw Out!

Chickens got: our oldest eggs (plus the shell), can of garbanzo beans, expired bacon bits, old crackers, leftovers veggies from the fridge, topped off with expired coconut milk and a sprinkle of old pork rinds.

They did not complain.

Hubs got roasted chicken.

Dinner Pork Verde Pozole So easy, quick to pull together, and amazing flavor - We used pressure canned pork from 6 years...
05/28/2026

Dinner
Pork Verde Pozole
So easy, quick to pull together, and amazing flavor -
We used pressure canned pork from 6 years ago...! Naw, we fine. Learn how to preserve your food.

A few days ago, these were just seeds tucked into the soil. Now the first seedlings are already reaching upward, looking...
05/27/2026

A few days ago, these were just seeds tucked into the soil. Now the first seedlings are already reaching upward, looking for something to climb.

Pole beans don’t waste time once the weather warms. Give them sun, water, and a sturdy trellis, and they’ll spend the season racing toward the sky while producing basket after basket along the way.

One of the simplest crops to grow, and one of the most rewarding to harvest.





Avocados in Boulder Creek always feel a little like pushing the edge of what’s supposed to grow here but with the right ...
05/25/2026

Avocados in Boulder Creek always feel a little like pushing the edge of what’s supposed to grow here but with the right microclimate, they absolutely can.

The key is warmth, drainage, and variety selection. South-facing slopes, reflected heat near a wall, protection from winter wind, and cold-hardy types like Bacon, Fuerte, or Mexicola tend to perform better in the Santa Cruz Mountains than the typical grocery-store Hass.

Young trees need a little extra help through the first 3 winters and it took seven years of patience to get fruit worth picking.

This isn’t San Diego avocado farming. It’s mountain gardening. Some years are better than others, and every successful season is earned. This one weighed in close to one pound!





Just wait, oh my.... for over an hour we sat and watched this cloud formation.
05/25/2026

Just wait, oh my.... for over an hour we sat and watched this cloud formation.

Damn this onion bed kicked my ass this week.Over 4 hours in the dirt, and I’m still not quite done. Fifty onions left to...
05/24/2026

Damn this onion bed kicked my ass this week.

Over 4 hours in the dirt, and I’m still not quite done. Fifty onions left to plant, but my back officially voted no more for today.

This is the part people don’t always see about growing food. Sometimes it’s peaceful. Sometimes it’s beautiful. And sometimes it’s crawling out of a raised bed wondering how onions became a full-body workout.

Still worth it.





First harvest of calendula this season. This one is a workhorse, earning a place in our garden year after year.• Infused...
05/22/2026

First harvest of calendula this season. This one is a workhorse, earning a place in our garden year after year.

• Infused into oils for salves, lotions, lip and skin balms
• Added to homemade soaps and bath products
• Used fresh or dried for natural color in the kitchen and apothecary
• One of the best companion flowers for pollinators and beneficial insects





Wild turkeys roam our neighborhood, but usually stay clear of our property because of Dakota, the Shepherd. This was a g...
05/21/2026

Wild turkeys roam our neighborhood, but usually stay clear of our property because of Dakota, the Shepherd. This was a gang of 8, just passing through.

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285 Hillary Heights
Boulder Creek, CA
95006

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