Creating a "food forest" for both humans and other creatures that come to PageRefuge for sustenance has been the focus now that the massive task of sheet mulching was completed. The "lawn" that was here when we moved into our Cotati home was obliterated and natives were planted. Before the sheet mulching project began we applied for a lawn rebate from the City of Cotati. A month ago our yard was revisited by the city, receipts for the plants were provided, and like magic we got a $750 check in the mail. This amount pretty much covered all of the native plants I have purchased. A win-win for the City since we will drastically reduce our water consumption, especially after the first year when all the natives will be established. The natives chosen mostly have low water requirements once their roots go deeply into the soil.
The annuals that will provide food for humans are not as water wise. However the fruit trees and berry bushes, once established will not have high water demands. The strawberries will need regular water, of course.
Fruit trees
Apples West to East in the backyard on the West side of the raised beds: Spitzenberg (Thomas Jefferson’s favorite apple), Pink Pearl, Cox Orange Pippin.
Plum: Santa Rosa (the remaining fruit tree that was in our backyard when we bought PageRefuge).
Planted in the front yard: Blenheim Apricot tree and Improved Meyer Lemon tree, so both are exposed to South sunshine.
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| Teeny, tiny but hoping it will thrive. We frequently see when we walk about Cotati both lemon and orange trees all laden with fruit in the Winter. |
The fruit trees, with the exception of the lemon tree, came from Trees of Antiquity which used to be located just a bit North of where we lived and live. They have now relocated South. They ship for a reasonable fee. All trees arrive in stellar condition.
Berries
Blackberry: ‘Black Satin’ Thornless x 2.
Raspberry: Boyne, a Summer bearing raspberry, x 2.
All of these are fully leafed out, looking quite beautiful. Will they produce luscious berries this season is the question?
Elderberry (a male and female is required for fruit): Nova, York. Both of these were purchased from Harmony Farm Supply. The latter did not leaf out so I ordered another online from McKay Nursery Company in Waterloo, Wisconsin. It arrived today (04/05/2022). I immediately planted it in the already prepared spot where I pulled out the defunct York purchased from Harmony Farm Supply. This new plant already has leaf buds beginning to open so I want it to thrive. Today was not the optimal planting day: it is a "root" planting day, not "fruit".
Strawberries: Albion, Chandler, Seascape, Sequoia.
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| The taller plant in the foreground is Cercis occidentalis ( Western redbud) and the small plants are Sequoia strawberries. |
I do want to share that buying bare roots from Harmony Farm Supply was not the stellar experience I had before we relocated to Santa Fe. Less than half of the strawberry bare roots actually developed into thriving green plants. This is in contrast to the Sequoia bareroots I purchased from Peaceful Valley Farm/Grow Organic.com. Everyone of these are now little green plants ready to produce delish tasting strawberries.
When I stopped at Harmony Farm Supply with my receipt of purchase I was told no refund without returning the plants . . . what? The owner said, "When you go to the grocery store you have to a return the item you want credit for." That is not my experience. If I have a spoiled container of yogurt, I get a credit to purchase another without bring the yucky yogurt back. So to end this unpleasant story just let me say I will not be shopping at Harmony Farm Supply any more.
The West most raised bed is planted with delicious lettuce which was started from Wild Garden Seed. We have been enjoying a wonderful salad with this lettuce hence the absence of lettuce heads above. On either side of the above bed are Cascadia peas which are what I think of as dual pea plants since you can harvest the pods or wait for the pods to fill out and pick the pods full of peas. Either are just fantastic to eat. I have difficulty getting them into the house and onto to the table . . . I eat them as I pick.
For the East most bed there are tomato starts just transplanted into 4" pots: Stupice, Nebula, Robbin’s Red Slicing, Silvery Fir Tree & Blue Gold plus cherry tomatoes: Snow White, California Sunshine and Chadwick’s.These will be set in to the bed in late May on a "fruit" planting day.
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| Sweet pepper plants: Pimento. Seeds came from Pinetree Garden Seeds |
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