Just 30 miles from Los Angeles, tucked into the high desert landscape of Acton, lies a place where flowers aren’t just grown — they’re lived. DeBellis Ranch is a working flower farm, a hands-on classroom, a peaceful refuge, and the heart of a family’s journey into country living.

Owned and operated by Annji and her family, DeBellis Ranch is a story of transformation: of desert into bloom, of curiosity into skill, and of a home into a hub for community connection and education.

“We came here for more space — but the land gave us so much more. It gave us purpose,” muses Annji.

From Bare Ground to Blooming Rows

When Annji and her family moved to Acton nine years ago, they weren’t farmers. They were parents with a vision — to raise children who knew how to grow their own food and live connected to the land. What started as a property for a quieter life quickly became a full-blown working farm.

“We wanted our kids to know how to feed themselves if they ever had to. Then COVID happened and it wasn’t just an idea anymore. It was real,” Annji remembers.

They began with berry plants, 300 of them, but quickly discovered that their desert location lacked a vital ingredient: pollinators. So, they planted flowers -bright, beautiful, nectar-rich flowers to bring in bees, hummingbirds, and other beneficial insects. The result? A vibrant ecosystem (and a new love).

“We fell in love with the flowers. Nothing beats walking through our rows of blooms in the summer,” Annji says.

What Grows at DeBellis Ranch?

Flowers are the stars, and they grow in rhythm with the seasons:

• Spring: Ranunculus — delicate, rose-like blooms with incredible vase life
• Summer: Colorful zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, and more
• Fall: Late-season flowers, seed harvesting, and the last flush before the frost
• Winter: Soil amending, bulb planting, and prepping for the next season
  

While just one acre is cultivated, the farm spans 2.5 acres, with portions left wild to support insect biodiversity. Nestled among the curated beds, you’ll find natives, poppies, sage, and cover crops that are all part of a thriving natural system.

Sustainability matters here. The family uses minimal tilling, drip irrigation, and organic amendments. They use no pesticides, no sprays — just sun, soil, compost, and a whole lot of manual labor.

“Sustainability means knowing your land. What grows well here won’t grow in Malibu. We don’t fight nature, we grow with it,” Annji says.

Real Farm Maintenance: Meet the Cats

Forget tractors. At DeBellis Ranch, the most effective farmhands weigh about 10 pounds and purr.

A few hardworking outdoor cats patrol the flower rows, keeping rats, rabbits, and squirrels at bay — and often napping among the zinnias after a hard day’s work.

“We used to lose entire rows overnight. Now? Our cats sleep in the rows and keep everything safe. And yes, we feed them, they just love to hunt,” Annji shares with a smile.

Come Visit: What You’ll Experience at DeBellis Ranch

Pick Your Own Flowers

Guests are invited to wander the fields, shears in hand, and pick a bouquet straight from the rows. Don’t worry — Annji or a family member is always nearby to help guide your selections or show you how to make a bouquet that lasts.

Visit the Farm Stand

Their tiny but mighty farm store offers:

• Pre-made bouquets
• Raw honey
• Local jams
• Handmade soaps
• Sustainable goods like refurbished cast iron cookware

Everything is made by the family or neighbors in the Acton community. It’s not just a farm stand, it’s a showcase of local talent.

Meet the Family

When you visit DeBellis Ranch, you’re not just seeing flowers, you’re meeting the people who planted them. Annji, her husband, and her kids are the welcoming committee, the field hands, and the storytellers. They’ll answer your questions, share tips, and maybe even show you the antique caboose train car that’s slowly being converted into a future farm stay.

Year-Round Growing and Learning

Running a farm in the desert isn’t easy. There’s wind, sunburnt plants, surprise frosts, and summers where the water bill isn’t for the faint of heart. But the DeBellis family takes it in stride.

They’ve learned when to plant (never before the frost risk ends), how to adjust beds (more shade for roses, less for zinnias), and how to teach the land to teach them. Every year, they experiment, and every year, they grow.

“The best farmers kill the most plants. It’s all about learning, and not quitting,” Annji says.

The DeBellis Philosophy: Flowers First, But Not Just for Beauty

Flowers aren’t just for picking. They’re part of a delicate system that supports everything else. Interplanted with vegetables and herbs, the flowers attract pollinators, repel pests, and create a habitat for beneficial insects like ladybugs, praying mantis, and tachinid flies.

“Now we don’t even have to buy ladybugs. They come on their own. We’ve built the system,” shares Annji.

Even the birds have a role — goldfinches flock to the seed heads of spent sunflowers, eating pests as they go. It’s farming in harmony with nature — and it all started with a few rows of zinnias.

What Makes Debellis Ranch Special?

• A real family farm – Every flower is planted, weeded, and picked by the family.
  
• Desert farming done right – With drip irrigation, seasonal timing, and zero pesticides.
  
• Hands-on learning – For visitors, homeschoolers, and curious kids alike.
  
• Deep community roots – Local vendors, neighbors, and friends all contribute to the farm’s ecosystem.
  
• Open hearts – Whether you buy a bouquet or just want to walk the rows, you’re welcome.
  

“Even growing one tomato on your balcony makes a difference. If people leave here inspired to try, we’ve done our job,” says Annji with a smile.

Plan Your Visit

Location: Acton, CA (just 30 miles from LA)
U-pick season: Spring through first frost (typically March–October)
Farm stand: Open during hours or by appointment
Best times to visit: Early morning or evening in summer for cooler weather
Don’t miss: The flower rows, the caboose car, and the cats!

Follow DeBellis Ranch on social media for updates on blooming seasons, special events, and farm stand hours.

At DeBellis Ranch, you won’t find a polished commercial farm experience. What you will find is something better. It’s an authentic, joyful, slightly dusty, hands-in-the-dirt kind of magic that makes you feel connected to the land, the flowers, and the family behind it all.

“We thought we were buying land for our kids. But what we got was a life — together.”

Article written for Alison Needham (@agirl_defloured) for California Grown, images and video by James Collier, Paprika Studios.