A recent storm (tornado within about four miles) leveled some of our sunflowers. This one decided not to give up and took a hard left toward the sun — I named it “detour.”
Category Archives: Lore
Forest Farming
As we try to figure out what to plant near existing trees we find ourselves learning more about forest farming.
Permaculture Ideas
We haven’t tasted Paw Paws yet, but everything we read suggests they taste wonderful. As an added bonus, they don’t mind black walnuts.
Permaculture design with paw paw and apples.
Swales being built, plus a design on swales.
Hugulcultured swales by Midwest Permaculture.
Chickens for the orchard by Midwest Permaculture.
Idea for orchard design–set up rows by harvest date, not variety.
Northern Nut Growers Association with scion wood exchange and good source of info on varieties.
Zone 2 fruit tree guilds with lists of plants and pictures.
Northern Illinois permaculture and B & B with pictures and examples of planting companions.
Cherry tree guild for northern clime.
Permaculture Institute, Santa Fe, NM
Gardening Near Black Walnut
We have several large, beautiful black walnut trees in the area near our house that we will be planting with orchards and gardens. Although these trees are gorgeous, they are toxic to some plants, including apple trees.
More on gardening near black walnut.
Companion plants for black walnut
More companion plants
List of plants that do, and don’t, grow near black walnuts, with measurements.
A video with measurements.
Old General
Aside
Using the estimator provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation, we determined that the sycamore tree fondly known as “old general” is about 275 years old, sprouted c. 1740.
Old General, b. 1740(?)
Orchard Sketch
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orchard sketch
South Garden sketch
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south garden sketch