Welcome to the very first post on Gotti's Gospel! We wanted to kick things off with a quick update on where the season stands.
I'm currently writing to you from my living room — a very rare place for me, as I'm always on the road or in the field.
The reason I'm starting this blog is to connect more with you all, and personally, I think it will make me more focused and self-accountable on the business end. I'm not entirely sure what direction it will take. I just want to be the best version of myself. I'm not getting any younger, that's for sure, but I can be more consistent and more real — real with you, and real with myself.
There's no set direction for this blog, and no theme except staying active and up to date. As you'll see, you're more than welcome to interact with it, since I have comments enabled too. I want to build and create community with everyone who believes in me and shares the vision of a happier, healthier life.
The dahlias are in full swing, and we've been busy keeping up with deliveries across Santa Barbara County (Saturdays & Sundays), Los Angeles (Thursdays), and Orange County (Mondays). Every bunch is cut fresh and delivered right to your door at no extra charge.
Now, the reason I'm so dahlia-heavy is just the truth: I planted so much of everything else I like to grow, and these are all that survived. The deer got me, the gophers, the weather, the bugs — you name it. That's just farming though, that's what comes with it. I'm not complaining, I'm just being honest.
I do have more flowers coming out of the nursery within this week or next — scabiosa, zinnia, and cosmos, to name a few. I'm super excited to show you those, as they'll be added to my menu.
I'll be planting more vegetables too. The first run failed, which is a feeling I'm personally not used to. It's been so long since I've produced this poorly. Six-plus years I've been putting crops in the ground and getting a great return on my efforts. With vegetables though, if it's not going well from the start, I won't try to nurse it back — I just get rid of it and start over. I don't like producing anything less than 10/10, A+ quality vegetables. I want you to eat the best I can grow, not just what I can grow for the sake of making money. My pride and ego only swing in the direction of best, not mediocre.
Here's what to expect from this blog going forward: seasonal updates, behind-the-scenes looks at what's growing, tips on keeping your bunches fresh longer, and the occasional note on new delivery days or special offers.
If you've made it this far, I really appreciate it. Truly. The support I've been receiving lately has been keeping me going. This life is stressful, for sure — hell, all my money is in the ground, literally. Not buried cash, but buried plants that you pray turn back into cash. Talk about gambling!
So thank you, so much.
To all my people outside of my delivery reach, I'll be adding products for you too, like a dahlia calendar with all the photos I take of the flowers. I know people don't really use wall calendars in this era, but I also know people want to support, so I'm going to try my best with affordable and practical merchandise besides just a t-shirt.
Since I don't have a set day for blog posts, please sign up for my email list so when I do post this content, you can stay up to date if it speaks to you.
I will be better. I promise you, and myself.
— Gotti's Garden
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