About Destination: Forever Ranch and Gardens

There is not yet a permanent caretaker or manager at the D:F Ranch property. Drop-in visitors are unable to gain access to the site until this changes, and we want to avoid disappointing or inconveniencing people who do not know this, by requesting that people who want to visit set up an appointment. We can be very flexible about this, but we simply want to know that you're planning to drop by. That way, everyone ends up satisfied. P.S. Several days of advance notice tends to produce the most reliable results, although we will accommodate same-day requests whenever possible.

In a search for properties in seven western and southwestern states, we determined that certain criteria of climate, size, price, topography, vegetative and ecological characteristics, and future potential had to be met. This parcel of land, amounting to 40 acres in size, was deemed to fit all of the above requirements in outstanding fashion.

The property was initially purchased in late 1998. Work on the garden aspects began in 1999, and evolves constantly.

Infrastructural improvements have been made, including a water well and distribution system (2003), septic tank (2007), and two storage sheds (2000 and 2008). A papercrete guest house is under construction (2009 - 2010) and plans for a larger main house and plant conservatory will be implemented in future years.

The terrain at D:F Ranch is mid-elevation desert cactus shrubland. Hills and rocky outcrops stud the area, with flat to gently sloping terrain often abruptly transitioning to steep, bouldery hills. D:F Ranch offers a blend of these two types of topography, which is part of why it was selected. We are in the southwestern foothills of the Hualapai (pronounced wall-a-pie) Mountains, in an ecological transition zone between three major Western United States biomes. The Mojave Desert lies to the north and west, while the Sonoran Desert lies to the south, and the Arizona Interior Chaparral/Great Basin zones blend in from the Hualapai Mountains to the east. The result is that plant and animal species from all three zones are found on the property and in the region, making for rather remarkable scenic diversity and biological interest. D:F Ranch is located at an elevation of 3000 feet, with the main ridges of the Hualapai Mountains rising to over 6000 feet on average, and up to 8400 feet. (See the geography and geology page in the menu at left for more detailed info.)

An exact count is difficult at this point, but we estimate that over 2500 cacti, succulents, and small trees have been planted so far. As many as 20,000 to 30,000 may be planted eventually. As in most botanical gardens, however, this planting will take place over considerable time and the gardens will take years to reach full maturity and diversity.

Many of the items added are native plants such as ocotillo, Joshua trees, red barrel cactus, and hedgehog cactus. These have been obtained primarily as salvage plants from roadway easements occurring as a result of development in the area. Many additional nursery-grown and landscape-cultivated plants have also been installed, like golden barrels, organ pipe cacti, and century plants. Most of what grows out there now is capable of minimal assistance for survival, in the absence of daily human monitoring and intervention. Once someone resides permanently at D:F Ranch, many additional items will be planted.

Irrigation is achieved from a domestic well and water-distribution system. Watering is done manually with hoses from storage tanks. Two large flood-retention basins were created right near the well shaft, allowing heavy runoff from infrequent desert rains to percolate down to the water table and recharge the aquifer below. Created in July 2008, these two basins have as of February 2010 harvested around 200,000 gallons of water, which is much more than what is typically used at this point in a given year. Banking water for the future is important in a climate that sees under 8 inches of annual rainfall on average.

Contact General Manager Jan Emming
Phone number at (928) 766 - 2597.
Mailing address: Jan Emming, P.O. Box 306, Yucca, Arizona, 86438-0306.
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