Category Archives: Bulbs

Healing Tree: the website

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I’ve been brainstorming ideas to make this blog more effective and I’ve decided to build a website around topics discussed on the blog while maintaining the blog as a central forum for discussion and ideas.  The website will offer resources to folks new to permaculture and also those more familiar with the “do no harm” approach to farming, including helpful links and articles written by me and those more familiar with the process.  

Since we’re landless, we’ll be propagating a new kind of garden – with vital seeds of change – online!

I promised bulbs

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I’m excited to begin a new life elsewhere, but we’ve all grown attached to this place and it will be difficult to leave.  It occurred to me that since I have not yet planted the bulbs from Holland, I should do so in ceremony.  It’s neat to think that long after we’ve moved on, they will bloom each spring and summer.  Like notes planted no the page, they will sing our song.

Guild Building: Grow with your guilds… (Pt3)

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Once we have allowed for ample decomposition and the accumulation of multiple nitrogen/carbon-rich layers of biomass along with a healthy number of lively microbes, planting may begin.  Really, what you plant within your guilds is completely up to you, but there are some general guidelines to consider and you may go as deep into these as you’d like.  Permaculture can be quite the scientific endeavor, but it need not be overly complicated in your first attempt.  Grow and learn with your guilds.

If you’re planting a fruit-centered guild, think of the tree as your centerpiece.  Everything around the tree should compliment the tree.  I don’t mean aesthetically, though it will naturally assume a beautiful pattern all its own, but rather compliment in the sense that those things growing around the tree either work with the tree or do not interfere with the tree during major growth cycles.

Cat mint works to attract beneficial bees and insects; comfrey accumulates nutrients and mines for water from deep within the soil and offers medicinal value to humans; grass-suppressing bulbs act as a deterrent for deer and other scavengers while attracting  beneficials while the tree is blossoming.  One of the most important things these plants share in common is their lack of competition at root level with the fruit-tree.  Another is that they supply a food or medicinal source for humans and none of them require much upkeep other than the occasional watering.

In certain cases, there is a very specific and “magical” relationship between plants.  Blueberry roots feed off of a specific microbe found in the rhizomes of certain members of the Rhododendron family.  Since both of these prefer a lower pH, blueberries and azaleas, for example, may be planted side by side and will establish a harmony all their own over time.

A tree that takes in more nitrogen, might do well with N2-fixing plants such as clover or wild blue indigo.  Our mulberry guilds will contain some of these lovely blue accents to benefit the tree, offer some diversity in the guilds and attract insects.  The mulberry itself is an excellent food source for both birds and humans and will keep birds interested in the mulberries over your apples or cherries.

I’ll suggest some specific plantings in a future installment.  Email/comment with questions.

Where the Wild Things Are

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This week we are still awaiting our bulb order.  The bulbs should have arrived late last week, but they did not (which gave us an excuse to farm-hop, hike and enjoy the summer-like weather).  In the meantime, I’ve been thinking about wild things: Wild grapes, asparagus, fungus, mint, apples, herbs, etc.  I’m also thinking about how we can better connect people accustomed to purchasing food in the grocery with wild spaces in a way that is fun and adventurous.  And in addition, which resources Healing Tree might collect to lend to people interested in farming and permaculture.

The girls recently made a model of an apple blossom.  At six, my oldest can already describe how an apple is made by the tree.  This is more knowledge than most adults currently hold, but I think it’s an invaluable part of understanding the larger system.  If a farmer would prefer to reduce the number of chemicals applied in the orchard or he/she wants to produce a higher, healthier yeild, they need to understand how fruit-trees function optimally.

Just as stress causes human immunity to lessen and makes us more susceptible to disease, so does stress experienced by fruit trees.  A bad pruning, an accidental knick down to the cambium, or grass planted all around the tree, stresses the tree and makes it more susceptible to disease.  It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that trees on a vigorous root stock do better when left alone than those grafted onto a dwarfing variety.

So what does this have to do with wild things?  Observing how plants interact in the natural world is the best education for the “budding” orchardist.  If you want to mimic a mature ecosystem, you need to take the time to observe a natural ecosystem.  Wild apples are easy to find in Michigan, but in general, fruit trees like edgeland.  They like the edge because they require ample sun to produce ample fruit.  Beneficials like bees are more common along edgeland and flowers which attract these beneficials thrive in meadows near the edge.

When observing in the wild, ask yourself:

  • What kinds of native plants grow here.
  • Notice which plants are thriving and those that seem to be struggling
  • Examine the roots of plants, if possible/permittable
  • Walk the land and make a mental note of where water might collect in a heavy rain
  • Are they’re any natrualized or “invasives”
  • What sorts of insects/animals are present

Answering these questions on your own and coming up with additional questions is a fantastic and organic approach to learning about permaculture.  Better, it’s a great way to spend some quality time in wild spaces.  Feel free to share your comments/observations below!

Watch Diversity Thrive

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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 part of permaculture is increasing this kind of diversity because the majority of insects are harmless or beneficial and will keep true “pests” in check.

I should be putting in an order for bulbs, but my personal finances are such that I am unable to make an order at this time.  I am hopeful that by November I may be able to make at least a partial order.

In the meantime, we are enjoying the warm weather and looking forward to a wonder-filled transition into Fall.

Bulb Order, part one

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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 don’t think it should be much of an issue. I’ll likely surround them with a layer of already composted manure. Cradled in the hay, this should provide an ideal combination of water, air, and nutrients.

I like to order plants with which I am familiar.  And so I’ve limited myself to daffodils, tulips and lilies.  This isn’t, however, a foundation for diversity and so I spent some time checking out bulbs with blooms unique to the plant.  The wild Hyacinth is a tall, grass-like plant with small blooms running along  the main stalk.  It’s not only attractive, but taller, a great nectary and as easy to grow as lilies or tulips.  I plan to order some Crocosmia, a very bright red, tall, slender, and unique nectary flowering plant.  And any recommendations for greater variety are welcome.

Mulberry Guilds and more

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I’m working this morning on building the mulberry guild(s). We picked up some manure yesterday, but in the heat and without the tractor, we ended up with a very small load mostly made up of sawdust and ash. I decided to use this for the trees that require less fertility and perhaps some of the strawberry beds, if there’s any left. We’ll return for more manure next week (hopefully in some cooler weather).

In the meantime, we’ve compiled a list of fruit trees on order for fall/spring:

  • Golden Sweet Cherry (1)
  • Rainer Cherry (1)
  • Montmorency Cherry (1)
  • Ulster Cherry (2)
  • Hedelfingen Dark Sweet (1)
  • Gala Apple (2)
  • Honey Crisp (2)
  • Golden Delicious (1)
  • Bartlett Pear (1)
  • Methley Plum (1)
  • Red Mulberry (2)

These varities may be purchased at the websites listed beneath “trees” and “seeds” to the right.  Our bulb order must go out in September for fall planting and the guilds must be ready by the time they arrive. We’ll likely have a bulb party!

Welcome to Healing Tree Farm!

Healing Tree in the Fog

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A fog fell over the land yesterday morning. We have nearly finished the blue berry bed (see photo). It took a full trailer-load of composted manure to cover most of the bed, but we have another load coming and will finish the remainder of berry beds.

While out yesterday, I purchased three butterfly bushes, three catmint, and a daylilly for the beds. We also put up additional bird feeders to attract a greater variety of birds.

T/N Farms has provided the farm with enough hay that we may not need to purchase additional bales. Thank-you T/N!

Raising Funds for Healing Tree

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We’re planning a multi-family yard sale for Friday, August 3rd in Elk Rapids (to coincide with Harbor Days). Money collected will benefit Healing Tree Farm (and will hopefully cover our bulb order). If you are interested in donated an item(s) or money to Healing Tree, please contact:

donations@imperfectlyyours.com or visit www.imperfectlyyours.com

Thank-you!