Tour Details
Finch Frolic Garden Permaculture’s monthly tours are held on the third Sunday of the month from March through November. We close from Thanksgiving until the end of February.
We continue to give consultations and designs during the winter. Private tours can be arranged during our open months. (unless changed for a holiday or weather). Tours begin promptly at 10 am so please arrive ten minutes early to sign in and pay. We accept cash or checks, but not cards nor online pay venues (they take a chunk out of each business transaction and we charge very little for our tours and would like to keep it that way!) All is the same as our private tours; you must RSVP for Open Tours at dianeckennedy@prodigy.net .
All visitors must bring masks, and social distancing will be observed. Those without COVID vaccinations must wear their mask properly the entire time. Masks are optional for those who are vaccinated. Please respect the health of those around you; the COVID-19 virus is NOT gone, and we here at FFG Permaculture are taking all precautions to insure your health safety and our own. If you are sick, please stay home.
Private tours of Finch Frolic Garden are held by appointment for groups of 5 – 10 people, Thursdays – Mondays from March through Thanksgiving. Cost is $20 per person and the tour lasts about two hours. There is a base rate of $100 (or five people). Please reserve and receive directions through dianeckennedy@prodigy.net. Children 5 and under are free; ages 6 – 10 are $5. For school tours, there must be a minimum of five adults.
Please, no pets. Photos are allowed.
See details below:
Finch Frolic Garden
No Description
Beautiful flowers, food, medicinal plants and building materials, all thrive in peaceful Finch Frolic Garden. Winding paths bring the visitor through living buildings and bridges made of recycled materials. Birds, butterflies and dragonflies are everywhere, as is the heady scent of fragrant plants and blooms. An unlined pond, a cob pizza oven, a compost bathroom, bee hives and chickens are some of the highlights of a Finch Frolic Garden Tour. Not one drop of chemical fertilizer, insecticide or herbicide is used on the property, so food and habitat is abundant.
Find out how you can use permaculture techniques on your own property – no matter how large or small – on a Finch Frolic Garden tour. Isn’t it time for you to enjoy your property inexpensively, and stop pouring good money after bad while receiving worse results every year?
Finch Frolic Garden is a 1.68-acre permaculture based habitat located in Fallbrook, CA. It is privately owned by Diane Kennedy. Finch Frolic Garden is not open for general public admission, but can be visited through privately arranged tours. The tour is an introduction to permaculture with basic landscape designs explained. I show you how to use simple and inexpensive methods to garden, harvest water, grow an abundance of food and ornamentals using materials you probably already have. Tours can be custom designed for your group’s interest. The tour fee is only $20 per person, with group sizes between 5 and 15 (or for smaller groups, a $100 minimum fee). Our tours aren’t just a walk through the garden, they are a demonstration class of permaculture and sustainable living. We give you ideas, resources, facts, and answer all your gardening questions. The information can be applied to all gardens of any size, anywhere, and to gardeners of all physical ability and involvement. The Garden is also a wonderful destination for a group outing, such as for plein air artists, photographers and bird watchers.
Groups wanting to enjoy the garden for artistic or meditative purposes can arrange a tour followed by free time in the garden, to a total of four hours. A four-hour visit that includes a tour costs $50 per person. Every visitor must sign a hold harmless form. Please contact for more information at dianeckennedy@prodigy.net.
Scout groups, home schooling groups and school field trips are welcome. Hands-on projects can be arranged for merit badges or course curriculum.
Finch Frolic Gardens is not handicapped accessible, and parts of it has tricky footing. Children are welcome but may not run free. Pets are not permitted. As this is a private residence the plants and food produced are not for picking unless directed by the guide. Limited parking requires that groups carpool with no more than four vehicles. A waiver of liability must be signed by all participants.
I’m Diane Kennedy, and I’m a permaculturalist with my Permaculture Design Course certification, an AA in Landscape Architecture an an AA in Sustainable Landscape and Turf Managment, a certificate in Irrigation, a certificate in QWEL (Quality Water Efficient Landscaper), a freelance writer, naturalist and vegetarian. I’m a former County of San Diego Senior Park Ranger, San Diego Zoo Safari Park tour guide, middle school librarian and lifelong organic gardener. I have years of experience teaching all ages on a wide variety of topics.
Miranda Kennedy has a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University in Wildlife Conservation. She was on the board of the Fallbrook Land Conservancy and wass a Ranger with the Wildlands Conservancy. She specializes in birds, insects and native plants, and speaks on living with wildlife, and other topics. She runs our Finch Frolic Facebook page, where she posts albums of insects and other animals identifying them and their role in the garden. She is available for consultations about wildlife, native plants, native insects, and permaculture.
To inquire about visiting Finch Frolic Gardens, or about hiring us for teaching, lecturing, consultation or writing, please email me at dianeckennedy@prodigy.net with FFG Inquiry as the subject.
Thank you, and I hope we can help you create a food forest habitat in your own yard.
40 Comments
Diane
Hi Emma, its great to hear from you! I often think about you two as well, and hope you are doing fine. Yes, we are both very busy. I’m finishing a semester at Mira Costa virtually, and spring is here in the garden so lots to do. And I still have clients – the benefit of working outside and at a safe distance. Thanks for checking in! Diane
Emma L Muzzy
Hi Diane, I’ve been wondering if you and Miranda are okay. Are you weathering the quarantine okay? I know you have plenty to keep you busy. Just wanted you to know that I think of you often.
Diane
Hello Calvin, just dress for weather protection, and most people want to take notes. If you are interested in the August tour, please RSVP to my email as indicated. Thanks so much and I hope to see you then. Diane
Calvin
Wow we be glad to be part of this
what are we to bring forward apart from the fees
Diane
Hi Diane, unfortunately we don’t open until March 1. We are working on large projects and getting the garden in shape for another open season. I’m sorry that we’ll miss your sister’s visit. Thanks for wanting to visit! Directions to Finch Frolic are on this blog under the ‘directions’ tab at the top, http://www.vegetariat.com/directions/. I hope to see you with or without your sister. Thanks for reading! Diane
Diane Linderman
Hi Diane,
My sister is visiting from Virginia to my home in Oceanside this February. Will you be open? Would appreciate directions to your Gardens.
Diane Linderman
Oceanside
Diane
Thanks, Bob!
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Diane
Hi Maryanne, although we have Finches in our name, we don’t handle birds. We are a permaculture-based food forest with happy wild finches. I have passed on your comment to someone who cares for birds, so you should be hearing from her soon. Best of luck, Diane
Maryanne DeAngelo
I have an aviary 5 X 5 X7 with zebra and spice finches. I an trying to relocate/rehome these birds. The zebra finches are sick and I am trying everything. If there is anyone that can help me please call Maryanne 760 809 6004 or email mdeangelo@innovationnationip.com. I am in Cardiff by the Sea. Thank you
Sandy Maruca
Hi Diane, how are you? Do you girls need any of my oak leaves for mulch or whatever? I’m going to have my guys rake it all up soon and just throw it out. If you come by to get it I want to show you my new neighbor’s Garden. he’s turned about an acre of his land into an amazing Garden. he’s a retired Nursery owner. Please let me know when you girls have another sale I want to get some more of your canned peaches. they were so good!
Sandy
Marty
Interested in a tour on April 2. Possible? I’m sure I could bring 5.
Helene Beck
Hi Diane,
Out of the goodness of your heart it would please me so if you would send me your/a list of native plants and herbs, shrubs suitable (nitrogen fixing) for us! Please include any and all sources of plants and seeds where we can purchase these.
Thank you,
Helene
Diane
Hi Adrian,
yes, we have openings on our last three tours. Sunday, Nov. 15, Sat. Nov. 21 and Sun. Nov. 22. All at 10 am. If you are interested, please RSVP to my email at dianeckennedy@prodigy.net. Thanks! Diane
Adrian
Do you have a spot open for me this month for a tour? Thank you.
Diane
Hi Suki, thank you so much for coming! No, there isn’t a difficulty. I avoid using cardboard that has plastic in it, but otherwise its fine. That is because good soil fungus and microbes will break down the cardboard and isolate the toxins, making most of them inert. The Earth has myriad methods for healing and cleaning if we don’t get in her way. I’m far more concerned about using chlorine and chloramine treated water for irrigation, as it is death to microbes and fungus. These creatures take a hit with every watering and need to replenish their ranks, so there is always a struggle for optimum soil efficiency. You may have noticed how fast seeds grow after a rain, while others we cultivate and water in with domestic water can take longer, and the chemicals are part of the problem. But I digress. Don’t fear the cardboard; have faith in the fungi! Thanks! Diane
Suki Glenn
Is there any problem with dioxin in the cardboard used with the mulching technique you describe in the garden tour?
I was on your wonderful tour yesterday. I learned so many good techniques which I want to start using.
Diane
Hi Yolie,
just RSVP to my email dianeckennedy@prodigy.net if you’d like to be on the Open Tour, or to book a group tour. Thanks!
Yolie Herman
We would love to come & learn more about Peraculture. Thank you.
Esther Krouse
Diane,
I’ve been assuming all along that l am in the group that’s coming this Sunday, April 19th. I just realized I haven’t RSVP yet. I hope you are counting me in that group or that I am not too late sending my answer.
Looking forward to meeting you and seeing your garden!
Esther.
Diane
Esther,
I’ll put you down for one for Sunday, April 19th. I’ll send the directions to your email, and they are online as well. I look forward to meeting you! Diane
Esther Krouse
Thank you Diane,
I would be interested in the Monthly Open Tour. If possible, the one on April 19 or if it’s full already, then on May 17. I tried to put a group together with people I know but, couldn’t coordinate dates that worked for all involved.
Hope there is some room for me in the next couple of months. If not, I’ll keepe trying!
The Gaden seem very beautiful and there is a lot to learn too!
Looking forward to visiting Finch Frolic Garden,
Esther.
Diane
Hi Esther. You can find our tour information on this website, under Finch Frolic Garden: Tours. We do group tours by appointment, or have an Open Tour once a month for the first 15 people to sign up (email me.)
Esther Krouse
I am very interested in visiting Finch Frolic Gardens and would like to know how to register.
You can reach me by email or by phone
Thank you!
Esther.
Lori Tullis
Diane,
I’ve signed up for Sunday through Meetup and would like to bring my son who is 22. This is our RSVP.
Lori
Diane
Blanca,
I’m sorry I didn’t see your post. I was asleep by that time last night because its been a very hectic week getting ready for this weekend, and just checked my emails this morning. The tour was full, with some extras. The garden will be closed for tours until March 1, and then we’ll have more open tours and pre-arranged tours. I’ll be posting them on my blog, or if you want, please email me at dianeckennedy@prodigy.net and I’ll put your email on our event notification email list. Thanks again and I’m sorry that we didn’t connect. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Diane
blanca
Diane! I met you at the Soil Food Web Intensive and remember you mentioned having an open house this weekend. It is certainly short notice but I wanted to know if I may come by tomorrow at 10 to be part of your tour. Let me know! It will be just me! Blanca
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Diane
Linda, I’m sorry that I didn’t respond sooner; my blog has suddenly stopped emailing me comments, and I just checked. The garden is at its peak vegetable production in July and August, but it is a lush garden all year. We close from Thanksgiving to March 1 due to weather and projects. We are having an Open Tour this Sunday, the 28th, at 10 am, and then not another one until the weekend before Thanksgiving, both Sat. and Sun. at 10. Otherwise we still book tours for groups of 5 – 15. Please email me at dianeckennedy@prodigy.net for other information. Thanks so much for your interest!
Diane
linda
Hi,
I’m wondering if you got my question about bringing my hubby during the “best” time of year.
I sent it yesterday because I was keeping open the possibility of coming soon. Thank you.
Linda
Linda Kler
Hi,
Thank you so much for speaking at “Be Ready” last Sat. and inspiring us. I’m trying to figure out how to get my dear husband who generally avoids the outdoors to come and join me on one of your tours.
Perhaps it would help to know if the end of the summer ( with the last of crops clinging to vines) or some other time of year may more likely engage him. If you have any thoughts, I’d appreciate it.
Thank you for your time.
Linda Kler
Diane
Carey,
wow am I just not thinking. I thought that you’d been through twice but saw your message and figured that I missed something. I replied before checking the sign-in sheets, so thanks for emailing me and pursing the request. I’m so happy that you visited and brought others with you; the more people implementing permaculture methods the better! Take care, and thanks again.
Diane
Diane
Carey,
I’m so sorry that I didn’t reply: apparently WordPress has decided not to send comment to my email without notifying me, so I didn’t know. I truly apologize. We are having more open tours this month, and I have them posted on the events page of the blog, but for a group of 5 or more I do tours by appointment most days. Please email me if you are still interested at dianeckennedy@prodigy.net. Again, I very much apologize!
Diane
Diane
Annie,
I just saw your comment! Apparently WordPress isn’t sending me comments anymore, so I need to fix that. We will be having more Open Tours this month (Sept.), and a lecture on Oct. 11th. I’m updating the events page on Vegetariat today. So sorry! Diane
Carey
Hi Diane, I’d like to come back for another tour on August 24 with my husband and 2 friends. Can you let me know if that is possible. Thank you!
Annie Yazdani
Hi Diane and Miranda,
Will you be having any workshops or events in the coming months?
You have created the conditions for a joyful sustainable place to arise and unfold naturally.
with love and best wishes
annie
Jason smith
Hello. My wife and I have been researching and enjoying learning about permaculture for months now and moved to temecula from o.c a year ago. We have a bigger back yard now which brings us one step closer to making our permaculture garden a reality. We would love to take a tour if it’s possible for just the two of us and our new daughter.
Lorraine Huang
Hi Diane,
I am interested in a consultation. Please contact me.
Lorraine Huang
Diane
Thank you for contacting me! Any relative of Judy’s has to be wonderful. Unfortunately Finch Frolic is closed until March 1 as my daughter and I work on some large projects. We’ll begin tours again when the spring blooms have begun. I’ll keep updating the Finch Frolic tab on the website. I’m glad that you like the tomato jam. We’re sold out of both kinds, and won’t be able to make more until summer when it is tomato season. I hope to meet you and your husband in the spring.
Happy New Year, and thanks again,
Diane
rekrug
We will be in your area today through Monday and would like to visit. We don’t really need a tour, but would like to wander. My husband is an artist, and I like to play. We heard about you from our niece, Judy Egan. I am the aunt you graciously shared the green tomato recipe with during the holidays. As promised, I would also like to buy some from you this weekend!