Wilderness Calls by Paul Berensmeier
Dirt First by Will McQuilkin
“I’d love to start a garden, my soil is no good.” You hear it all the time, especially when talking with people who are just getting into gardening as a craft or hobby. It may seem the case, but more often than not your soil is actually in better shape than you’d think. I like to encourage gardeners who have expressed dissatisfaction with their soil to start with a simple soil test. Soil tests are fabulous, because they can reveal three important factors about a soil’s health, namely: nutrient levels, pH bal- ance, and organic matter levels. The nutrient analysis will tell you the level of essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. If your soil is lacking in any area, you can remedy the situation by incorporating organic fertilizers into the soil prior to planting. The pH balance will tell you if your soil is acidic, alkaline, or somewhere in the middle. Good growing soil usually has a pH bal- ance around 7. If your soil tests on the acidic side, you can incorporate a small amount of lime to balance it. Organic matter (compost) is almost always a good thing to add to soil, and should be incorporated on a regular basis (seasonally). Once you have your soil test, you’re in a great place to start amending soil (if needed). The best way to loosen and decompact soil is by planting long rooting perennial plants, which can slowly break up soil and incorporate organic matter over time. But if you don’t have loads of time, the quickest, and most effec- tive way to amend compacted soil (which is what we mostly see here is the Bay Area), is a Double Dig. To double dig, measure your desired space. Beds that are three feet wide and 10-50 feet long are standard, but you can experiment with what’s most com- fortable and achievable in your garden. Weed and apply a layer of compost over the area. Next, use a d-handled trenching shovel (or any square edged shovel) and dig a 12-inch deep, 12-inch wide trench across the width of your garden bed (in this case, 3-feet). Remove the soil into buckets or a wheel barrow. Next, use a digging fork (not a hayfork) to loosen the soil in the bottom of your trench. Then dig a second trench behind the first, and scrape the dirt from the second trench to backfill the first. Then loosen the soil in the bottom of the second trench, and repeat until you reach the end of the bed. Then use the soil from the first trench to fill your last trench. Always be sure that your soil is evenly moist before working it. It should be neither too wet, nor too dry, because working wet solid produces clods, and working dry soil risks damaging structure. To know if your soil is workable, if you roll the soil into a ball and flick it, and the ball stays intact, it’s too wet. If it breaks apart, it’s properly moist. If you cannot form a ball, the soil is too dry. The most important thing is always to stay patient, and when in doubt: incor- porate compost! Organic matter is often the best thing for soil!
A Tribute: Chuck Ford
He ran . . . and ran. As a boy, I saw him run into the Valley hills at dawn and not return till dusk. Inspiration! To train . . . to learn . . . to run all day . . . to once circumambulate the Valley atop the ridges. “Closest to the stars!”, Jean would say. He wielded the camera deftly throughout the Valley . . . and I can still hear Grandpa “Santa” bellowing out, “The camera as an art tool!” Indeed . . . he added to the rich photographic fabric of the Valley by lugging his camera to its secret and magic places. He furthered this by collecting old, historical photos of the Valley. It was fascinating to walk throughout the many historical shows he hung at the Community Center and see how our home looked so long ago. Lessons . . . inspiring teachers . . . Grandpa’s superimpositions (one slide super- imposed over another!) . . . Lee’s Valley videos . . . and then editing wildlife films of the Valley together . . . furthering the photographic history . . . gleaning the essence of our unique home. “Synchronicity!”, Grandpa bellowed out in the pres- ence of this kindred spirit. When he saw the need . . . healthy children glued to their computer screens . . . not getting out and playing in our unique rural environment . . . he became a teacher. He guided youth into the world of nature . . . to appreciate . . . to care for the land . . . its health . . . its balance. An excellent trip planner . . . logistics . . . maps . . . contingency plans . . . first aid. He researched and discovered the best places to take the children. He taught to value and protect nature for its health and the health of ourselves . . . for future generations. At his last birthday in Lagunitas . . . scores and scores of young graduates . . . teaming around with youthful energy and sparkles in their eyes. . . recounting a myriad of memories on his special outdoor trips. What a beautiful impact he made. Lessons . . . inspira- tion . . . parallels. Kindred spirits . . . Jean founding Wilderness Way for Valley children . . . Lee adding nature art (the Wilderness Way mural!). We must not let screens take childhoods away! In his latter years, he got into cycling. You could often see him riding through the Valley and neighboring towns. He continued to ride his bike through cancer . . . up the hills . . . up to the very end. Amazingly, those times at the end were full of dignity . . . grace. He was a good role model for so many. Dealing with the most difficult times . . . cancer . . . he had such a positive attitude . . . continuing to do the things he loved . . . continuing to see the people he loved . . . complet- ing the goal of hiking with Liz in New Zealand. Lastly, inviting everyone to see him one last time! Yes, I can still hear Grandpa saying, “He lived life to the full- est!” Thank you for blessing us with your kindness . . . your wisdom . . . your wonderful spirit . . . your zest for life. We are blessed who knew you and are bet- ter people for it.
Interview with Ramon Ramirez by Elaine Doss and Arden Wood Ramon: Rosalia Gonzales.
Arden: Did you have a brother and sister? Ramon: Three brothers, and three sisters. I’m the oldest.
Ramon Ramirez On November 14, 2024, Nicasio Historical Society board mem- bers Elaine Doss and Arden Wood conducted this interview with Ramon Ramirez, now retired, in his home in Santa Rosa, assisted by his wife Laura and his daugh- ter Esmeralda. Ramon Ramirez Ramon, a respected and beloved member of the Nicasio community, worked at the Lafranchi dairy ranch for many years for his employer and dear friend Will Lafranchi. He later became janitor and groundskeeper at Lagunitas School, where he was much loved. He preserved a strong connection between our Anglo and Latino residents. He was a devout member of St. Mary’s church. He has been a friend to all – a joyous, generous and hardworking man, always full of good will and humor. We are grateful for this interview and to hear stories of his life.
Arden: what was your house like? was it in the country?
Ramon: Well, I’m pretty lucky because I was working all the time, in Mexico...I was working because my father died in Chicago, 42 years old, and I am the old- est one, and I had six brothers and sisters...to support... Anyway, everyone in my town helped me to get a good job...because everybody knew me...in a small town, and they try to help...now maybe is different…
Arden: Talk about when you were a child.
Arden: Did you go to school?
Ramon: The town was Jalostotitlán, [in the Mexican state of Jalisco [about 75 miles NE of Guadalajara]. I was born there, and I live in my house. It was a half- block from my house to the school. I have my uncle, he was good to paint [he was an artist], and he paid me money - this man was a good man - he paid me to put on clothes and sit for him – he said “no move!” and I sit there one or two hours and I get good pay Esmeralda: His uncle would paint chapels - churches - He’d pay my dad to stand there in clothing so he could paint the clothing, the draperies. He would paint cars too!
Ramon: Yes, to 8th grade.
Arden: Did you like school?
Ramon: [laughs] No...because I’m working there, and I make a big escape...I worked for the government in Mexico, making the roads...a pretty good job but... since my father died in Chicago, I wanted to come [to the U.S.] and see.
Esmeralda: He crossed the river into Texas, and he made it...
Arden: Who was your mother?
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SGV Community Center Stone Soup Page 15
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