This is great. I'm trying to convert a dozen acres in central Indiana. Currently about 75% is wildflower prairie and walking paths. The last 25% is slated to become forest (food or otherwise). Just trying to figure out how to start the forest. I stopped mowing the area, so it has all of last years vegetation still.
Wow, 12 acres? That would be incredible and I would suppose a similar approach that I used would work. It struck me that wind barriers would be a high priority and that a more dense evergreen perimeter would work. What other plans do you have?
@@GrowWithGordon.JamesPanyan Well I've only been at it since 10/2022, so I just try to make progress each year. Before that it was farmland. As far as long term plans, I hope to have a field of flowers with a variety of walking paths and perennial food sources (think asparagus or strawberries), a couple acres of forested area with native fruit trees (pawpaw and serviceberry come to mind), clearings in the forest and prairie areas with picnic tables or benches, and some complicated fruit trees near the house. So far I've got flowers, walking paths, and complicated fruit trees. I stumbled across your video while trying to figure out the easiest way to start a forest so that it can get growing. I'm trying to focus on trees that don't need managed for the forest while more complicated fruit trees like apples and peaches are up close to the house where we can easily maintain them. The issue not addressed by any of my plans is a lack of permanent water source. The field occasionally floods, but I'm not sure how to turn that into something sustainable. I lack the understanding, experience, and permitting to even attempt anything myself. I also shudder to think about the contractor cost.
Hey, how do you keep rabbits from destroying everything? We are in a neighborhood in NE Indiana and I just installed fruit guilds under our 2 Liberty apple and 1 Golden apricot trees. I have tree guards around the base of the fruit trees but had to fence off each of the berry bushes with hardware cloth. Coyote urine works elsewhere in the landscape and has to be re-applied every few weeks. Liquid fence, cayenne pepper, our dog, hair, even urine are only a temporary deterrent. Any other ideas?
I always thought it was because there are so many choices of things to eat. We have had a couple of our cherry bushes 'pruned' and we really needed netting to protect our annual veggies. I have seen rabbits choosing white clover that I spread instead of eating my tomatoes before, but not sure that is helpful.
I admire what you are doing. I'm doing a smaller version in northern Illinois, which is also 5b. Hey, I wonder if you've found those are milkweed and not comfrey? The video isn't clear, but it sure looks like a variety of milkweed rather than comfrey. I'm also wondering if you're aware that black walnut creates a toxin in the soil that will kill off almost everything around the tree? I chose to dig up the ones growing in my backyard and donate them to the high school, where they have a huge lot with nothing on it. Anyway, thanks for sharing your project and information! Best wishes for your continued success!
Yes, I think you're right. We have tried to plant natives from our county along the walkways. It gets a little confusing because I plant so many other things randomly. Thanks for the comment. I am still kinda running my own experiments on black walnut but would really like to get them swapped out for the Japanese Heartnut. Have you heard of those?
@GrowWithGordon.JamesPanyan yes, I just watched another permaculture video that covered assorted nuts, including heart nuts, black walnuts, and hazelnut. The heart nuts and hazelnut were worth the effort, but the black walnut wasn't. I've subscribed to your channel, so I'll look forward to your updates.
@@GrowWithGordon.JamesPanyan Are the fruits long or some what short ? It looks like a Pakistani but I believe you’re in zone 5 correct? Just trying to figure out what grows good in zone 5
This is awesome!
Thanks!!
This is great. I'm trying to convert a dozen acres in central Indiana. Currently about 75% is wildflower prairie and walking paths. The last 25% is slated to become forest (food or otherwise).
Just trying to figure out how to start the forest. I stopped mowing the area, so it has all of last years vegetation still.
Wow, 12 acres? That would be incredible and I would suppose a similar approach that I used would work. It struck me that wind barriers would be a high priority and that a more dense evergreen perimeter would work. What other plans do you have?
@@GrowWithGordon.JamesPanyan Well I've only been at it since 10/2022, so I just try to make progress each year. Before that it was farmland. As far as long term plans, I hope to have a field of flowers with a variety of walking paths and perennial food sources (think asparagus or strawberries), a couple acres of forested area with native fruit trees (pawpaw and serviceberry come to mind), clearings in the forest and prairie areas with picnic tables or benches, and some complicated fruit trees near the house.
So far I've got flowers, walking paths, and complicated fruit trees. I stumbled across your video while trying to figure out the easiest way to start a forest so that it can get growing. I'm trying to focus on trees that don't need managed for the forest while more complicated fruit trees like apples and peaches are up close to the house where we can easily maintain them.
The issue not addressed by any of my plans is a lack of permanent water source. The field occasionally floods, but I'm not sure how to turn that into something sustainable.
I lack the understanding, experience, and permitting to even attempt anything myself. I also shudder to think about the contractor cost.
Hey, how do you keep rabbits from destroying everything? We are in a neighborhood in NE Indiana and I just installed fruit guilds under our 2 Liberty apple and 1 Golden apricot trees. I have tree guards around the base of the fruit trees but had to fence off each of the berry bushes with hardware cloth. Coyote urine works elsewhere in the landscape and has to be re-applied every few weeks. Liquid fence, cayenne pepper, our dog, hair, even urine are only a temporary deterrent. Any other ideas?
I always thought it was because there are so many choices of things to eat. We have had a couple of our cherry bushes 'pruned' and we really needed netting to protect our annual veggies. I have seen rabbits choosing white clover that I spread instead of eating my tomatoes before, but not sure that is helpful.
I admire what you are doing. I'm doing a smaller version in northern Illinois, which is also 5b. Hey, I wonder if you've found those are milkweed and not comfrey? The video isn't clear, but it sure looks like a variety of milkweed rather than comfrey. I'm also wondering if you're aware that black walnut creates a toxin in the soil that will kill off almost everything around the tree? I chose to dig up the ones growing in my backyard and donate them to the high school, where they have a huge lot with nothing on it. Anyway, thanks for sharing your project and information! Best wishes for your continued success!
Yes, I think you're right. We have tried to plant natives from our county along the walkways. It gets a little confusing because I plant so many other things randomly. Thanks for the comment. I am still kinda running my own experiments on black walnut but would really like to get them swapped out for the Japanese Heartnut. Have you heard of those?
@GrowWithGordon.JamesPanyan yes, I just watched another permaculture video that covered assorted nuts, including heart nuts, black walnuts, and hazelnut. The heart nuts and hazelnut were worth the effort, but the black walnut wasn't. I've subscribed to your channel, so I'll look forward to your updates.
What kind of mulberry tree is above your chicken coop ?
It's just a regular black mulberry. Really glad they used to plant these in new housing developments. Now my chickens have free snacks every summer.
@@GrowWithGordon.JamesPanyan Are the fruits long or some what short ? It looks like a Pakistani but I believe you’re in zone 5 correct? Just trying to figure out what grows good in zone 5