Longview Alive! | Week 8
Milkweeds for Monarchs | Last call for Wineberries!
Hi, this is Jessi Stead, and I’m back with another Longview Alive update — it’s Week 8!
We’ve had a beautiful week here with family, soaking up the summer, getting some work done around the property, and picking berries.
I hope you can make it out soon — this is likely the last week the wineberries will be ripe, so bring a basket and take some home!
🌿 Native Species Spotlight
Let’s start with some native plants we’re excited to see emerging:
Black Cohosh is blooming in the forest. Despite its name, it produces lovely white flowers. It’s traditionally used to support menstrual and menopausal health and can be dried for tea.
A vibrant orange native milkweed is also in bloom, drawing in plenty of monarch caterpillars — a great sign for pollinator health!
🌱 Beautiful Invasives
Not all plants are welcome, but some still catch the eye:
A delicate white flower on a vine is spreading through our fields — beautiful, but it’s got a stranglehold on the landscape.
Deadly nightshade (belladonna) is starting to appear, with its distinctive purple star-shaped flowers.
Burning bush has begun to seed. Come fall, its deep red foliage will be hard to miss.
🥕 Around the Garden
Back at the farm, our veggie and herb garden is coming along nicely.
The dill is flowering, and we’re seeing the first signs of eggplants and tomatoes.
I’m especially excited that the pumpkin vines I started from last year’s seeds are thriving!
🎨 Upcoming Workshops & Events
Thank you for following along with this series. If you’ve been enjoying it, consider supporting us by visiting longview.gallery — pick up some merch or treat yourself to a piece of local art.
We’ve got a great lineup of workshops this week:
Plein Air Workshop – July 23
Craft Workshop – July 26
Nochino-Making Workshop – July 27
And don’t forget: our next Live Music Opening Reception is on the first Saturday in August from 5–8 PM. We’d love to see you there!