How to Build a Fruit-centered Guild (Pt1)

To build a guild think soil, roots, and results.  A mature ecosystem has a rich layer of biomass that has accumulated over many, many years.  In order to replicate, create your own layer of rich topsoil using a good combination of nitrogen and carbon rich materials.  Hay, fresh manure, and grass clippings work well for [...]

Iris

I saw something strangely beautiful today.  An iris in full bloom at the end of September in Northern Michigan.  Is this normal?  We’ve had some really warm days followed by some really cold days and then back into the heat.  Perhaps the iris population is experiencing some confusion?  Ah, Michigan.

Watch Diversity Thrive

I moved an extra pile of fairly composted hay over to the blueberry beds for some added nutrients before we close it off with a layer newspaper,  peat and straw.  While mulching some of the plants that have sprouted, I noticed interesting fungi and a variety of plants and insects already thriving there.  A huge [...]

Farmers

I was talking with Sandy at Rennie Orchards about my tree order (he was very helpful in helping me select varieties hardy in our area, but also flavorful). A customer drove up to the barn where we stood talking and purchased some apples. Sandy introduced me and told the customer about all we’re [...]

Journey Seeds

Linda is posting some fantastic information on Permaculture (and Biodynamics) at her website, Journey Seeds. I encourage everyone interested in either topic (or both) to read her posts on the topic(s).

A Rainbow Over Healing Tree

Turn up the heat!

The weather has turned cold and wet this past week, giving us an early taste of fall.  Fortunately we’re almost done and if the trees arrive early, we’ll still be okay.  I need to make the next order, but am short on funds, so I may be making smaller purchases throughout the fall.
Tomorrow is supposed [...]

Bulb Order, part one

We ordered some camassia quamash, a wild Hyacinth and a few other bulbs to start in the guilds. I’m worried about the heat from all the decomposition going on beneath the bulbs. It’s pretty hot in those guilds. I’m only planting bulbs because they’re up close enough to the surface that I [...]

Ordering Fruit Trees

After a phone call with Sandy Rennie of Rennie Orchards in Williamsburg, MI, we decided to simplify our tree order so we might order closer to home and in one order instead of three or more.  It is difficult to find a supplier who is willing to sell under 25 trees in a single order.  [...]

14 down, one to go!

We completed Guild No. 14 last night and have only one more to build before beginning the process of what I call “closing the guilds,” or covering them in preparation of fall/spring plantings.
For the first time this year, I mowed. This makes it easier to navigate and water the guilds, but more importantly, it [...]