West County

West Sonoma County is Home to Outstanding Plant Nurseries

[caption id="attachment_1859" align="alignleft" width="300"] Go Ahead Stop and Smell Them![/caption] Last night I had an impromptu dinner with clients (now friends!) at the lovely estate property we found for them a couple ofyears ago near the Laguna de Santa Rosa, in the heart of the Russian River Appellation. I remarked how fabulous the landscaping looked, particularly the new raised beds they added. The perennial garden. lavendars and olive trees were looking really lush and healthy. And of course the four acres of vines are happily heading towards the harvest a few months from now. With ten acres total and a green thumb or two, one is always open to collecting new plant treasures. But where to find them? My client bemoaned the plant choices she saw at the big box and hardware stores. You mean you don't know about Emerisa Gardens Retail Nursery I cried? I have made several good friends by frequenting them, and learned enough about a lot of plants to be dangerous! Every once in a while I go by for a good plant fix! Emerisa's retail nursery in NW Santa Rosa is only open from March through October, but it is a great place to learn about and see interesting perennials, grasses and interesting plants for both sun and shade. Their demonstration garden shows you what the plants look like when full grown and the STAFF are incredibly knowledgeable and very helpful. Chances are, if you hire a landscaper, they buy a good portion of their plants on the wholesale side. They have whimsical pots and garden "objet" plus very good gardening gloves too! And what about Harmony Farm Supply nursery? Besides a really nice and thorough nursery near Graton in West Sonoma County, including a great selection of bare root trees and berries in winter, Harmony is where you might find me picking up the spare irrigation parts that always seem to be needed, even though my collection in the garden shed is growing! Also very helpful staff and a good selection of veggie starts and various soil amendments and garden tools. Plus they install solar systems! I have learned more than i ever thought I would about drip irrigation in the aisles of Harmony Farm Supply. And little Fulton, California is home to two of the best nurseries you will ever find. Cal Flora and Urban Tree...

Pam’s Pick: West County Broker Tour Stunning Contemporary on 29 PLUS Acres…

I am still daydreaming about the gorgeous West (Sonoma) County estate property I saw yesterday.  I knew I had to share it with you.  Not only does the home sit on 29 +- stunning classic Occidental acres off Frati Lane, but it features one of the most thoughtfully designed contemporary country homes I have every seen.  In addition, there are two adjoining buildable/probably also plantable lots surrounding this parcel.  You could have a total of 66 +- acres to enjoy now and hold for investment value or as an idyllic family compound.  Occidental can be problematic when it comes to water but this is a Zone 3 property and the listing agent, Randy Rousseau, quoted some pretty high production rates for the three installed wells. (my comments continue below the listing info.)  This would be great for horses but the personal estate vineyard potential could be significant. [idx-listing mlsnumber="21301206" showpricehistory="true"] The main home has wonderful flow indoors and out, great privacy, very high design and materials quality.  You can tell it was designed for function and usability and simple elegance.  Minimalist and I could easily picture living there myself! ;) There is a salt water lap pool and a solar system and geothermal heat pump for sustainability. The property is priced at $2,300,000.  It is rare to find this type of contemporary design in Sonoma County, particularly in West County.  When you add the location, setting and abundance of land and water, old apple orchards and redwoods, you have an unbeatable combination.  I believe that the property could have been price higher but it should sell quickly as it is.  The entire package of home and two buildable lots at 66 acres +- is on offer for $3,600,000.  If you would like to see it email or call me and I can arrange a showing. The location feels like the end of the world but it is only 5 or 10 minutes to downtown Occidental, about the same to Graton and a few minutes more to downtown Sebastopol.   Vineyards, wineries, world-class dining and the stunning Sonoma Coast are all in easy striking distance of this week's Pam's Pick tour property!...

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