Sorry if this is a duplicate post. It has been sent to
the NAFEX list and to a permaculture list. Mostly it
is a long description of our orchard.
The climate here consists of wet winters and dry summers
which presents numerous problems for trees. The wet winter
encourages fungal diseases and the dry summer stresses some
trees in the fall. Our solution is to cut the grass in the
spring and pile it around the trees. This grass is gathered
in the fall and placed in compost piles.
During the summer sheep are grazed around the trees and they
clean up all the early fruit drop. These fruit are often
wormy so this helps control disease. The mulch around the
tree provides nutriments and conserves soil moisture. If
left over the winter it collects voles, moles, and disease so
removal makes sense.
The sheep are not allowed to over graze and leave some manure
for the trees. The rest of the manure is left in the barn and
eventually mixed with compost to create very productive
gardens.
The use of heavy mulch in the garden eliminates most tilling
because the weeds are simply smothered with new mulch. Garden
plants are inserted in the mulch.
Orchard prunings are also used in the garden without
shredding. Two methods fit this lazy method of gardening.
One is the German system of burying the limbs under raised
beds. Another consists of a separate compost pile and waiting
for a few years. We are getting tired of digging and now use
the patient method.
The sheep are very happy with this and like to keep it clean
around the trees while leaving habitat intact in other areas.
Currently we are using small Shetland sheep that like to
browse on the trees so some tree protection is required.
For a few years we tried tree tubes and wrapping trees but
have given up on these methods. Deer replants and all the
stuff sold in catalogs have been tried but given up on. What
we do now is buy a role of fence wire and make free standing
cages. These are easy to move around and can be adapted to
different sized trees.
>From an ecology perspective this system is mostly powered by
the grass, trees and sunlight. As long as the grass is
healthy it will be sustainable. For this reason we do not
believe in pasture improvement and rely on a variety of
weeds. If one plant begins to dominate then we try changing
grazing times or forcing the sheep to leave more manure in an
area.
If the soil is depleted in minerals we currently just let
natures diversity find a solution. We did lime one small
area once but have stopped doing this. In areas with problem
soil i've found alders and blackberries are quick to take
over and have started working with Sitka alders and may try
introducing the thornless blackberries. The sheep eat both
of these and they both make substantial improvements to the
soil.
These ideas are contrary to most modern agricultural systems
but have been used successfully in some places. The use of
alders to supply nitrogen and animal feed is called Alley
Cropping and i've read reports about its use in India and
Africa. Combining pasture and trees is often cited in
Permaculture literature. I've not seen much written about
blackberries but was amazed to find the roots at a depth of
20 feet once.
One disadvantage of this approach is an untidy looking
environment. Mulch and weeds tend to be scattered around and
plants that do not fit are allowed to die. Plants that
develop synergy with other plants are encouraged and plants
that try to dominate are discouraged. Not a pretty sight if
we use a neatly kept small farm as our model of the ideal.
Another problem is occasional bug infestations and critters
who decide they want to move in. This results in constant
small problems and lots of laughs. Our store of skunk,
squirrel, and raccoon stories have doubled in the last few
years. All this is a good sign from an ecology standpoint
and often indicates opportunities. Unfortunately we are slow
adapting to the various population excesses. I am not
conditioned to eat bugs, small animals, and lack knowledge in
use of many plants. Still, it is interesting making an
effort.
In England similar ideas are being developed for small areas
called "Forest Gardens". I have found two books on this
topic and several web pages. Hopefully, more people will
become interested and we can learn from each other.
----
jeff owens, [EMAIL PROTECTED], http://www.xprt.net/~jko
underground house, solar power, self-reliance, edible landscape
eco lifestyle discussion: subscribe ecopath -> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
