Raspberry and Blackberry. These are hardy and productive, and they can create large wild brambles. They can be susceptible to viral diseases, especially if they receive too much moisture. I have seen conflicting advice regarding applying mulch. The biggest thing I have found helpful: Know your varieties. Many plants grow by producing a primicane, or … Continue reading Backyard Berries
15 Garden Ideas
I titled this post last winter, but never published it, and now it is summer. Here are the 15 garden ideas that actually were implemented this spring. Put up the fence. Simple wire fence with t-posts that we take down at the end of the growing season. With the addition of an electric fence along … Continue reading 15 Garden Ideas
3 Garden Benefits of Catnip
I planted catnip (aka catmint) a couple of years ago. Popular in landscaping, it produces small purple flowers essentially from spring to fall. As it turns out, the deer leave it alone while demolishing hostess and every other supposedly deer-resistant ornamental. The cat loves it. I have since planted a bunch more, and this is … Continue reading 3 Garden Benefits of Catnip
Tomato Heaven
Late frost. Very late frost. Goodbye, promising young vines planted in too timely a fashion. So, we bought seedlings. Lovingly, I planted those. Plenty of room. Then, three of the original tomato plants re-sprouted from the roots. I planted Early Girl, Best Boy, Better Boy, a yellow heirloom variety and cherry tomatoes. Oh dear. We … Continue reading Tomato Heaven
Hazelnut Delight
One of the few nuts that grows here naturally, is enjoyed by our family, and forms shrubs rather than a single, tall tree: hazelnuts. Also known by the less catchy “filbert,” the hazelnut bushes will form thickets if allowed. They thrive in the saturated ground here. I planted some rather spindly specimens last year. They … Continue reading Hazelnut Delight
Did you panic-buy dried beans? Here’s what to do with them
Here are some ways to use them: Traditional cooking. Soak overnight, slow cook. There are good recipes online. But a few pounds of dried beans goes a looooong way.Grow bean sprouts. Yes, these are the same as fresh sprouts you would get at a sandwich shop or add to a noodle soup. Takes a few … Continue reading Did you panic-buy dried beans? Here’s what to do with them
Backyard Orchard Culture — Deep Green Permaculture
Backyard Orchards – A New Approach to Growing Fruit Trees in Limited Spaces This article is an introduction to the gardening technique of Backyard Orchard Culture – a system of high density planting of fruit trees which allows for a wide variety of fruit to be grown in a limited space, and harvested over […]Backyard Orchard … Continue reading Backyard Orchard Culture — Deep Green Permaculture
Foraged: Hickory Nuts
In our area, wild hickory trees are abundant. Like many nut trees, the harvest seems to be somewhat cyclical, with a bumper crop every 2-3 years and more modest crops in between. Unlike many other such trees, hickory trees simply drop all the hickories in autumn. We picked them up a handful at a time … Continue reading Foraged: Hickory Nuts
Christmas Captures
This year, the only spending we chose to do for decorations was the purchase of two small, live potted spruce trees. The plan is to enjoy them this year, and with a little luck, keep them alive through future years! Otherwise, it was fun getting the pieces from the past few years out of the … Continue reading Christmas Captures
Wildfire Scenario
Finally, the kids are staying in bed. Finally, the dishes are washed and put away. Finally, the tired adults go down the hall. Stan takes off his glasses. Mary sets her alarm and puts the phone down. The night is quiet. First one cell phone buzzes, then the other. Mary silences her phone. Stan's phone … Continue reading Wildfire Scenario
