Flora
The Food Forest and Beyond
Spring is in full swing at the Farm and Sanctuary! So I wanted to give you a small tour of the current beauty and abundance! As most of you know, we specialize in perennial food crops at Crossing Hedgerows, and have planted a food forest nearby the house. We used permaculture design to create this food forest, which I love to talk about when we have folks out for walks. Every year it becomes more and more productive, and the pictures are only some of what we have in the forest.
Clove Currant Berry Bush
lovage and rhubarb in the apple tree guild
strawberry
catnip
the apple tree guild
black raspberry bush
purple deadnettle
plum blossoms
apple blossoms
thyme and catnip
mayapples in the woods
tulips
pear blossoms
grape hyacinths
peach blossoms
serviceberry tree in bloom
violets
oregano
onions
As we go forward, we are continuing to design other parts of the property, including more of the Sanctuary land, with native plant agriculture. This means, they are perennial native plants which can also be used as a food source for people.
I apologize for the long time between posts ~ there has been an emergency situation with extended family that I’ve wanted to give my attention to lately. But you all have been in my heart as well, and I’m looking forward to our Beltaine celebration!
Thank you once again for all your support. It is deeply appreciated!
Peace and Blessings,
Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
