South Whidbey Tilth‘s property is located in the Bayview area (it’s not a town anymore, but an area with shops nearby) on the south end of Whidbey Island, WA. It’s easy to get there, being just off Hwy 525 on Thompson Road. See here for more.
The upper 6 acres of the campus is a designated natural area that has been slowly wilding itself. We have been a vendor at their Sunday farmers market in years past with our homestead, but I realized I had never wandered the upper meadow and forest areas.
To find the upper area, park anywhere along the garden area or near the market area. There is ample parking, due to the weekly market. Head along the driveway, passing the back of the kitchen and other buildings. The mowed area ends.
Look uphill and follow your eyes. It hasn’t been mowed but there is an old path there, and follow it.
Looking back downhill.
A lovely big maple tree.
The pathway takes you to a cleared meadow.
As I looked across the meadow, I could see trees that had been planted long ago. I figured this was the Garry Oaks, which grew wild long ago on Whidbey Island’s north end. I was correct after walking out to them, with Daisies growing wild next to them. The grass was thigh high, but I am sure full of little critters having good lives.
There are some fenced-off areas for natural plant restoration and an old greenhouse (hence the pathway). But mostly, it is just a quiet space.
On the way down, I noted wooden stakes showing where a trail had gone. It is overgrown and a victim of the pandemic years. A work party is slated soon, and I will revisit it to see exactly where the trail goes. I followed it here and there through the woods.
This part of the campus was worked on in 2001, so it has had 2 decades of growth, healing the land.
The campus itself is great to walk. The shacks are there for vendors that want to build so they can have a permanent spot to use. This one is newer and vividly painted with a scene of the Salish Sea and the Olympic Mountains (though it could be the Cascade Mountains and Possession Sound!) Either way, a lovely painting.
Even the weeds can be pretty.
Covered in native bees, the blooms smelled amazing.
We wandered down into the P Patches, the garden spots various people rent to grow on. Lots of great gardens to check out.
One area is the Permaculture Garden they built years ago. It’s a lovely spot to just exist in. Next to it a few hens live in a run, their calls are soothing to listen to.
The campus offers the P Patch area to wander through, a farm stand, an orchard, a seed library, the market area itself, and the upper wild area. It is open to the public and free to use. Tread lightly and remember it is a work in progress, and we need to be gentle with it. It even has a little hobbit home for young children to go inside and play in the market area.
And yes, if you are ever on the island on a Sunday in season, do visit the market. There are many vendors and good eats as well.
~Sarah