I’ve started reading Doug Tallamy’s book, Nature’s Best Hope, and it made me realize how important it is for me to layer my orchard plantings. I’d rather plan slow and methodical plantings than to rush through things. A lot of my plantings are “designer” or “showy” native flowers. But I cannot stop there if I truly want to support wildlife, suppress invasives and weeds, and help prevent some of my taller plants from flopping over.
Fall is a great time to plant shrubs and understory trees so I’ve ordered several young bare-root plants from Prairie Moon Nursery and a couple more mature plants from Riverview Native Nursery for Fall delivery. The benefit of buying bare-root plants is that they are less expensive than their more mature counterparts. So if you’re willing to be patient, these are the dudes for you!
Buttonbush x 2. One bare root and one 1-2 years old
American Hazelnut (I was in error on a previous post, they do not require cross-pollination as they are unisex. But cross-pollination increases yields.)
Prairie Ninebark
Silky Dogwood
Red Osier Dogwood
Elderberry
New Jersey Tea
2-3 year Old American Witchhazel
2-3 Year Old American Plum
And my neighbor has gifted me 3 starts of our native black raspberry.
I’ll be busy with my fall plantings but they will all be ready to thrive come spring!
In addition to these shrubs and trees I also bought some wild strawberry seeds to sow this winter. They will act as a great groundcover in nearly any condition. I’ve also been wanting a jack in the pulpit, so I threw one of those in my cart as well.
The Swing Is Fixed
Our vandal has struck again AND I think I know who is letting their dog poop at the orchard without cleaning it up. As I was driving by I saw a couple walking an elderly beagle but they were stopped a the edge of the orchard (where I always find the poop) seemingly waiting on their doggy to do the doo. It didn’t.
One of my Instagram friends offered to donate some doggy poop bags but I wasn't quite sure how to put them out or if they’d even get used. I’m going to install a sign on a metal post that says something like “We grow food here, so don’t leave poop here.” or “Take your poo, we don’t want it to contaminate our food.” but maybe something better? Got any ideas? Shoot them my way!
Thanks for the porch drop Amy Poole!
I think we have a single vandal. Whoever it is, has some level of appreciation for the Orchard as they enjoy eating some snacks while using the hammock swing. I mean who wouldn’t? But they also leave their trash, destroy some property and rip up plants and tags. I think its too much of a coincidence to be more than one person.
Maybe I’ll be able to reach them through my continued interactions with the neighborhood, maybe not. But I have moved forward. After a quick $15 trip to Connolly’s the swing is jerry-rigged and ready to go! But its current setup would be very easy for someone to take down. Here’s to hoping this person suddenly develops a moral compass.
Drove by the orchard today to find that someone had removed the lid and knocked over my drip irrigation bucket that was meant for a freshly planted baby Redbud tree. :( But the swing was still there!
Win some, you lose some. I guess.