Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Experiment Farm, Demonstration farm in Sebastopol, US.
Luther Burbank's Gold Ridge Experiment Farm in Sebastopol spans three acres and contains a caretaker's cottage, barn, potting shed, and over 250 plant varieties from his breeding work. The grounds are organized into sections where experiments with fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants were conducted during his active years.
Burbank established this farm in 1885 and conducted intensive plant breeding work here that continuously improved his cultivation methods. His work ended in 1926, leaving behind a rich collection of plant varieties that continue to be studied.
The site is named after Luther Burbank, the plant breeder who worked here, and visitors can see how different areas were used for hands-on experiments with vegetables, fruits, and flowers. The layout reflects the practical methods of his time rather than formal garden design.
Visitors can explore the grounds using maps from the kiosk or arrange for guided tours with knowledgeable staff. Comfortable shoes are helpful since the walk covers different ground types, and the site is best seen during daylight hours.
A single apple tree on the property bears 25 different grafts, producing multiple apple varieties that ripen at different times throughout the season. This tree shows how Burbank combined different varieties to expand what was possible in plant breeding.
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