Gardening on the Edge Blog

Why We Plant Fruit Trees (one reason)

Mon, Jun 10 2013 09:03 | pears, why plant fruit trees, pear trees | Permalink

Today, I paid $1.96 for one organic pear. This was at the local food coop where things are supposed to sell for less.

FreeBird

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Fireflies

Thu, Jun 6 2013 06:34 | western north carolina, fireflies, dupont state park | Permalink

The first fireflies of the season are starting to strut their stuff in our garden. Blue Ghost fireflies are lighting up the forest floor in Dupont State Park, and the Synchronise fireflies are entertaining folks in The Great Smokey Mountain National Park. This is one of the many reasons why we live in Western North Carolina.

FreeBird

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Peruvian Mint - Self-Reliance and Sustainability Blog - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

Sun, Jun 2 2013 07:07 | peruvian mint | Permalink

Peruvian Mint - Self-Reliance and Sustainability Blog - MOTHER EARTH NEWS At some point in the mid 1980s, we’d acquired a vining succulent plant which we’d never seen before. The seller at the flea market told us the plant was called Peruvian Mint. We planted it in the yard and it spread and spread. I especially liked where I planted it along paths, and when I walked there, the crushed leaves would perfume the air with…..Continue reading…..Peruvian Mint

FreeBird

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Great Fruit Trees for the Deep South, Part. III: The Mulberry - Grow It! - MOTHER EARTH NEWS

Mon, May 20 2013 06:41 | Permalink

I remember the first time I saw a mulberry tree. Growing up in South Florida, we were used to oranges, grapefruit, mangos and avocadoes. But… a blackberry that grew on a tree? Wild! I was 10 years old. My little brother Brian and I were visiting our friends Rachel and Miles…..
Read the full article

FreeBird

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Facts About Comfrey

Mon, Apr 22 2013 03:14 | comfrey | Permalink

I use comfrey in every forest garden design I do. Here's why.

It is a dynamic accumulator, a nutrient pump that produces versatile, valuable leaves year after year. These leaves can be used as mulch to protect the soil and provide valuable nutrients as it breaks down.
It is 22% - 33% protein compared to Alfalfa at 12% - 19%
It's finished compost as soon as the leaves are cut and turned under
It increases crop yields by 30% - 100%
It continually reproduces itself and can last forever

As an herb:

It soothes ulcers, gout, burns, bruises, wounds, and even the common cold
It is reputed to aid in the healing of broken bones, and is sometimes referred to as "knitbone".
It makes a great compost tea
It makes egg yolks yellower when cut early and fed to chickens

I believe it is one of the most valuable plants to use in forest garden for all that it provides.

FreeBird

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Deadnettle - A Weed For The Bees

Thu, Apr 4 2013 09:48 | honeybees, deadnettle, red deadnettle, purple deadnettle | Permalink

Purple and Red Deadnettle appears in Western North Carolina in March, and is one of the first flowering plants available to honeybees. It's also an edible plant for humans.

While it can be invasive, it's easy to pull up, and because of its benefit to honeybees, is worth leaving until the flowers die off. I simply remove it from the areas I don't want it and leave all the other patches of it.

I personally love being able to provide an early meal for the honeybees.

FreeBird

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New Study Shows Pesticides Cause Brain Damage in Bees

Sat, Mar 30 2013 10:35 | pesticides killing bees, bee deaths, bee loses | Permalink

Two studies released Wednesday support the findings of the European Food Safety Authority that neonicotinoid insecticides pose an unacceptable risk to bees. The pair of British studies indicate that neonicotinoids and miticides cause brain damage, compromising bee survival. Read more....

FreeBird

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