Regerative Farming with Caitlin of Luma Front Yard Farming

I’ve always loved the idea of having a garden and growing my own food, but every year, my garden attempts fall short. That’s why I was so inspired by Caitlin of Luma Front Yard Farming, who has a business built on the idea that growing food can be both beautiful and beneficial to the planet. By following the principles of regenerative gardening, they help people transform their outdoor spaces into thriving ecosystems that support biodiversity, pollinators, and soil health. I asked her a few questions about the why of Luma Front Yard Farming, regenerative farming, and where those of us that need some guidance can start. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, I hope this will leave you feeling inspired to reconnect with nature right outside your door.

image of Caitlin with a potato she grew!

Caroline: Firstly, What is Regenerative Farming? 

Caitlin: Regenerative agriculture, farming or gardening is following the cycles of nature to build healthy living soil.  By creating healthy living soil - we restore biodiversity and the way nature intended it to be. It can be done on a large scale farming or in your own personal garden. When the planet has healthy soil covered in plants it takes the excess carbon from the atmosphere and it feeds those plants the carbon. 

Caroline: Can you tell us about Luma Front Yard Farming and why you started it?

Caitlin: I started Luma Front Yard Farming after building a thriving food forest in my front yard and seeing the life that came back from deserted soil. My community was eager to learn more and I realized that I could educate them on building healthy food, pollinator gardens that not only benefit the planet, but also the animals that inhabit it. We build pollinator gardens, food gardens all while educating for regenerative gardening. 

Caroline: Many of us are familiar with the idea of traditional backyard gardens, but front yard farming is less common. What are some of the biggest misconceptions about growing food in the front yard?

Caitlin: The biggest misconception about growing food in your front yard is that it is ugly or not clean and tidy. Growing food can be beautiful when it is intermixed with all the pollinators needed to feed the bees, butterflies, and birds. You of course also need the bees to help pollinate the food garden too. 

Caroline: At 1502 Candle Co., we love celebrating the seasons. What are some of your favorite (and easy) seasonal things to grow in small spaces for us in California? 

Caitlin: We love celebrating the seasons too and love to follow the cycles of nature for the seasons. While it is February and in California for most of us the temps are more mild so we can plant lettuces, carrots, kale, radishes are some of my favorites to grow in winter. But the biggest lesson we can take from nature is to follow the seasonal footsteps, it is important to leave spent leaves and weeds because nature is trying to take care of itself for winter. When we leave the leaves on the ground, the tree protects its roots with the spent leaves, it creates homes for butterflies, bugs to hibernate over winter and when the leaves are dried and temps warm up a bit the leaves will decompose and add much needed carbon back to the soil. The same with weeds - nature grows the weeds to protect any bare soil to help absorb any rain that is coming from the sky. Weeds have root systems that hold onto moisture and help keep the soil from drying out to help the microbes from drying out.

Caroline: For those who want to get started but feel overwhelmed, what’s your advice for taking that first step toward growing their own food or creating a more sustainable yard?

Caitlin: The best way to get started is to look at a small space in your garden - check the light and decide if you want to grow food or flowers. I always suggest starting with some easy pollinators that are pretty foolproof like salvia and catmint. It is best to also always remember that you don’t have a black thumb you likely have unhealthy soil. Healthy soil is the basis of life!

You can find more information about Luma Front Yard Farming on their website and on Instagram.