May 6, 2006
Planting into the forest edge
My yard is surrounded on three sides by trees. Two of those edges are narrow strips of forest that separate me from neighbors, while the area in the back is many acres of forest. Last week, after stopping by 4-H Acres to pick up my order from the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District, we worked on cutting into one of those forest edges to plant some more useful plants than the box elders and vines that had been there.
Clearing a space into the forest edge.
Josh started by cutting down a few of the box elders, creating more of a space in the forest. Next we planted three American Plums, two Witch Hazels, three White Birches (all of the above from TCSWCD), two red currants, two white currants, and two elderberries. (We found some wild gooseberries already in the forest.) Afterward we raked and mulched with straw.
Raking forest floor mulch after planting.
Using forest edges is an experiment here, though one that's worked in other gardens.
Also, while digging, I came across the top of a pipe in the ground. I'm not sure what it used to be.
I've posted a gallery of photos from that day if you'd like to see more.
Posted by simon at May 6, 2006 4:39 PM in permacultureNote on photos