Perennial crops are an important component to low-maintenance, regenerative food systems.
We've planted a variety of fruit and nut-bearing trees that will sustain us and our community well into the future: persimmon, heart nut, aronia and elderberries, butternut, and wild plum, to name a few.
Food forests are layered systems which mimic forest canopies; our trees have wild blackberries as their neighbors and wild herbs and medicinals will flourish amongst the leaves the trees drop every Autumn.
The path from our homestead to classroom will certainly be a delicious hike!
Cardboard will be used as a mulching layer.
Inoculating the roots of this special first tree.
"Let's start by planting the swale area. Remember to layer the compost, cardboard, and mulch on each tree for moisture retention and weed control, " Joe explains.
Many hands make for light work.
Fresh spring water to delivered to each tree!
Volunteers hard at work. These trees will be dedicated to family members who have passed on.
Pruning is important with transplants.
A little comfrey never hurt.