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2020 Garden Planning.

12/15/2019

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It felt so odd typing 2020 into the title. Can you believe we are almost at 2020? That is amazing. I am excited to enter this new decade in our space, expanding and honing our vision for this land.

This is the time of year where any spare time is spent looking throughout seed catalogs, comparing the seeds I purchased last year with my notes on how things did where, seeing what I still have some seeds for, and what I need to purchase. We had so many things do so well last summer, and we had a lot of new things go into the ground we won't see a harvest from for several years. Some of our woodland medicinals fall into that category as they take several years from seed - and we have some from bare root and some from seed. We may not see Goldenseal for awhile, but we know it is there. 

The plan for 2020 is to expand all of the garden areas, increase the forest guilds, plant around the whole back garage building, plant more natives and water loving plants in the moist areas, and more drought tolerant natives where it is dry. I love posting my lists to the blog because is it a great thing to have when I look back next year, comparing notes and memories. It also makes me feel more accomplished when working on a few acres, because when you don't plant in rows, sometimes it looks like not a lot is there, when in actuality it is a vast amount of plant materials, but spread out over land as plant do naturally in the wild. 

2020 Medicinal Perennials

Arisaema triphyllum, Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Blood Root, Sanguinaria canadensis
Blue Cohosh, Caulophyllum thalictroides
​​Blue Vervain, Verbena hastata
Culver's Root, Veronicastrum virginicum
Fireweed, Chamaenerion angustifolium
Sweet flat, Acorus americanus
Bilberry,Vaccimium myrtillus
Oregon Grape, Mahonia aquifolium
Rhodiola, Rhodiola rosea
​False Unicorn, Chamaelirium luteum
​Uva Ursi, Arctosyaphylos uva-ursi
Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria
​​Oats (milky & straw, gf), Avena sativa

Onion, Allium cepa
​Stevia, Stevia rebaudiana
​Large-Flowered Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum
Spotted Bee Balm, Monarda punctata

Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis
Wild yam, Dioscorea quaternata
​Mullein, Verbascum thapsus
Peony, Paeonia sp
Schisandra, Schisandra chinensis
Purslane

Already Growing on Our Land/Natives

American Elderberry Bush
​Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica
Burdock, Arctium lappa
Wild Cucumber, Echinocysis lobata 

Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium
​Monarda fistulosa, 2 types
Plantain, Plantago major

​Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca
Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, sullivantii, and incarnata
​Speedwell, Veronica chamaedrys
Yarrow, Achillia millefolium
Yellow Dock, Rumex crispus
​Hoary vervain, Verbena stricta

Goldenrod, Solidago  sp
Purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea
​Cleavers, Galium aparine
Evening Primrose
, Oenothera biennis
Sweet Woodruff - Galium odoratum
Joe Pye weed, Eupatorium macalatum
Boneset, Eupatorium perfolatum
Wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana
Wild geranium, Geranium macalatum
​False Solomon's Seal - Maianthemum racemosum

​Wild phlox - Phlox spp
Monarda, Monarda fistulosa, didyma

May Apple, Podophyllum peltatum
Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra
Wild Rose, Rosa spp.
Wood Violet, Viola sororia
​Starry Campion, Silene stellata

Red Clover, Trifolium pratense
Wild grape, Vitis riparia

Ground ivy, Glechoma hederaceae
Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica
Lambsquarters, Chenopodium album
Chickweed, Stellaria media
​Skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora

Self heal, Prunella vulgaris
Anemone
​Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare

Verbena urticifolia, white vervain
Mullein, Verbascum thapsus
​Lily of the Valley
​Wild ginger, Asarum canadense
Hoary vervain, Verbena stricta

​Goldenrod, Solidago  sp
​Purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea
Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra
Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum biflorum

Wild Rose, Rosa spp.
Wood/Common Blue Violet, Viola sororia
Marsh Blue Violet, Vioa cucullata
Sweet White Violet, Viola blanda

​Velvet leaf, Abutilon theophrasti
Mexican Sunflower

Milk thistle, Carduus nutans
Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale
​Pineapple weed, Chamomilia sp
Wood sorrel, Oxalis spp
White Clover, Trifolium pratense
Wild lettuce, Lacuta virosa

Chicory, Cichorium intybus
​Queen Anne's Lace, Daucus carota

Planted Natives

(some overlap with above)
Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium
Prairie Lily, Lilium philadelphicum

​Monarda fistulosa, 2 types
​Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca
Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, sullivantii, and incarnata
​New England Aster, Aster Novae-Angliae
​Tall bellflower, Campanula americana
Echinacea pallida
Blazing star, Liatris pycnostachya
Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis
Blue lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia subtomentosa
Goldenrod, Solidago  sp
White doll's eyes, Actaea pachypoda
Black cohosh, Actaea racemosa
Ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris
Big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii
Black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa
Sky blue aster, Aster azureus
Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia
Stiff coreopsis, Coreopsis palmata
Cleavers, Galium aparine
Sweet Woodruff - Galium odoratum
Boneset, Eupatorium perfolatum
Wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana
Wild geranium, Geranium macalatum
Blue flag iris, Iris versicolor
Prairie Coreopsis, Coreopsis palmata
Shepherd's Purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris

Trees

Red Maple / Acer rubrum
Sugar Maple / Acer saccharum
Service berry / Amelanchier canadensis
Hawthorn / Crataegus monogyna
Hazelnut /
Pine
Juniper / Juniperus communis
Fir
Linden
Forsythia
Lilac
Norway Spruce / Picea abies
Cottonwood / Populus deltoides

Perennials & Self Seeders in Ground

Agrimony, Agrimonia eupatoria
Angelica, Angelica archangelica
Anise Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum
Andrographis, Andrographis paniculata

Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera
Bay, Laurus nobilis (pot)
Blackberry, Rubus sp
Black Cohosh, Actaea racemosa
Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum
​Brahmi, Bacopa monnieri
Burdock, Arctium lappa
Catnip, Nepteta cataria
​Chamomile, Matricaria recutita
Clary Sage, Salvia sclarea
Dill, Anethum graveolens
Echinacea, Echinacea angustifolia
Echinacea, Echinacea pallida
Elecampane, Inula helenium
Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium
Figwort, Scrophularia nodosa
Helichrysum, Helichrysum arenarium (pot)
Hydrastis canadensis
Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis
​Lady's Mantle - Alchemellia vulgaris
Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Lovage, Levisticum officinale
Lycii (GOJI), Lycium barbarum
Hairy Mountain Mint, Pycnanthemum verticillatum

Moldavian Dragonshead Balm
​Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca
Mugwort, Artemesia vulgaris
Parsley, Petroselinum crispum
Patchouli, Pogostemon cablin (pot)
Peppermint, Mentha sp x5
Panax quinquefolius
​Ramps, Allium tricoccum
Raspberry, Rubus idaeus
Rose, Rosa sp
​Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum biflorum
St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum
​Thyme, Thymus vulgaris
Uva Ursi, Arctostaphylos uva ursi
Valerian, Valeriana officinalis
​White Horehound
​Dagga, Leonotis nepetaefolia

Wood Betony, Stachys officinalis

Annual Herbs From Seed

(From seed)
Dill
Sage
​Basils
Borage
Calendula
Cilantro
Cornflower
​Hibiscus
​Marshmallow
Licorice
Bitter Melon
Passionflower (pot)
Mexican Tarragon
​Tulsi x4
Flax
Moringa
Sweet Mace
Nasturtium
​Nigella
Milky Oats/Oat Straw
Oregano
Lemongrass
Stevia
Cayenne
CA Poppy
Summer Savory
Marjoram
​Rosemary (pot)
​Shiso
Sorrel
Spilanthes
​Caraway
Fennel

Eucalyptus

Fruit: Bushes Canes Trees

American Cranberry Bush
Hansen' Bush Cherry
Russian Mulberry Bush
Arapaho Blackberry
Blueberry, Jersey
Aronia melanocarpa
Goji Berry, Sweet Lifeberry 
Lingonberry, Koralle
Raspberry, Royalty
Gooseberry, Pixwell
Hale-Haven Peach
Stayman Winesap Apple
Red Jonathan Apple
Early Harvest Apple
Damson Plum
Apple Serviceberry Tree
Saskatoon Serviceberry 
Strawberries
​Red Mulberry / Morus rubra
​Choke Cherry / Prunus virginiana

Crab Apple / Pyrus coronaria
Elderberry / Sambucus spp
Nannyberry / Viburnum lentago
Rhubarb
Horseradish

Flowers

Cosmos, Craspedia, Poppy, Sunflower, Snapdragon, Zinnia, Gomphrena, Celosia, Phlox, Dahlia, statice, cleome, cornflower, celosia, amaranth, strawflower, aster, stock, salvia, lisianthus, baby's breath

Bulbs in Ground

tulips, allium, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, snowdrop, larkspur

Food Plants

I have a list that we whittled down after having a little bit too much of a few things and not enough of others. I will post my list when we have it done.
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It feels like we have a small part of the acres planted, but when I look at that list I feel pretty satisfied that we have been working forward in our 15 months living here.  One thing we are working towards is creating a botanical sanctuary space where we can give plant walks and where we work to preserve wild plants from our region and county. We are lucky to be very near a large state wildlife area that is several thousand acres with no trails, no parking (other than a few gravel spots on the highway). In studying some of the rare Wisconsin plants found in that area, I am able to focus also look to grow some of these endangered plants that are found within a mile of our land. Our area is a part of the wetland drumlin complex left when the Wisconsin glacier receded, and we have tamarack and mixed deciduous forest, drumlins (our house is along the edge of a drumlin), and the wildlife area even has a tamarack bog. Yes, I am a botany geek. It has so many unique grasses, sedge, and plants such as sensitive fern, marsh ettle, bellwort, bloodroot, blue cohosh, rue-anemone, canada mayflower, and even a rare bog rosemary. Wisconsin even has an orchid species, that has been reported in that area. We know that area also has muskrat, otter, mink, deer, cranes, wood ducks, fish, and many other animals and species that reflect how amazingly diverse this area has always been. If we can plant and diversity even a few acres of land, we will have a pretty spectacular place here. Big goals. One step at a time. 
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FIrst year.

9/25/2019

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This has been our first growing season at this property. It was a good idea to start smaller, and build a few garden areas first, and see how the wind, water, sun, animals, and insects are. Some things did amazingly well - we still have tomatoes up to our eyeballs in late September - and some things, meh (beans? where are the beans?). The medicinal herbs bed was a good start as well. It was enough to manage 5 different locations of herbs as I went through a summer finding an amazingly wide variety of medicinals growing wild on our land or road. 
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As we wander towards October, things are winding down and and yet we also still have so much happening. I love the location of the main food bed, and it will be easy to expand along down the side every year, and to slip a greenhouse in that area as well. I can tell what herbs I need to grow more of next year, what I should pull, and where to transplant out some of the bush seed starts that will be ready to upgrade to their own areas next year (St. John's Wort!). 

Draper, our dog, and I, have walked miles and miles this summer on the land. My step tracker says I hit 40-50K a week, and that is mostly here. Back and forth, up and down, side to side, all the way around. I am so happy at how many medicinals and natives we have growing here, and am pretty happy with the start of both the front and back orchards. We had one tree seller that had a horrible die rate (and a really ridiculously work-intensive hoop jumping return guarantee), but other plants have all done really well. WE have apple, plum, peach, pear, cherry, elderberry, nannyberry, aronia, goji, raspberry, currants and more - all that will hopefully have fruit by next year.
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I am especially happy that I still feel good here, like walking, rarely see another person, haven't had any issues with animals, only minimal insects (deer flies in July - I'm talking about you - and I haven't missed since you disappeared). It still feels right and good. And beautiful and big. The views are still wow, the smell of the air and the wonderful blue skies and light breezes are amazing. 

We will now start thinking about prepping the chicken coop and run for winter. I have some ideas that I need to test out - I want some areas sheltered from huge snowdrifts, but also want to still be able to see them so if anything gets in there with them, I know. I want to rig an insulation panel system that uses velcro for panels that go up and down for ease of cleaning (and there is rafter ventilation). The solar light system is good, and we had an outlet put along the back wall so we can run a water de-icer out there and a light for winter. We have great motion sensor lighting system, but want more inside the coop light. My husband wants to move them against the house for winter, but I don't want mice and think they should stay where they are, so we shall see. 

I can't wait to pick all our pumpkins we grew, see the leaves change, and pull in for fall and winter. I am in need of a nice winter of fireplaces, baking, and working on my writing projects. Here is to a good first year. xo
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Keeping of the bees.

9/4/2019

1 Comment

 
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I have always wanted to keep bees. I love their magical dances, quiet dedication to the greater good, their dedication to the queen and enigmatic communication that we humans don't understand. We have always worked on having habitat for native pollinators, who do need our help. And while some think bringing a box of bees into an environment is not natural, what the bees do when we "keep" them, it really pretty independent from us as much as we pretend to have control over the situation. 

When we moved here I knew I wanted to keep bees. I was happy to see that the neighbors who have their permaculture forest guild wilderness across the road had a few hives down the road. I know most of the native plants and medicinals we plant are loved by both natives and honeybees, and we also planted two areas of orchard. We have bush fruit in the back orchard area - cherries, elderberries, nannyberries - and in the front orchard we have aronia, goji, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, apple, peach, plum, and serviceberry. We also have wild raspberries, mulberries, and blackberries. And, we have many other plants and flowering trees. Truly enough support and food for our pollinators. 
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So, of course as it goes, we installed bees when they arrived at the post office. We had everything ready to go, and we transferred them into the hive. As a new beekeeper, while I spent years reading about beekeeping, I have been reading ongoing now as well, so that I follow the season and know what to look for as I have been inspecting and checking throughout the summer. 

I was a little nervous on my first inspection, but know that they can smell our fear, and so I focus on telling them how amazing they are, thank them for pollinating my plants, and radiate love. It might sound cheesy, but I do think that helps keep them calm. I do inspect suited up - I know some don't wear gloves or a suit - but I move with intention, carefully, and thankfully. The inspections have gone well all summer. I find what I should, I proceed through the hives, and I find the queen or evidence of the queen. 
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I know as I get more experience working with them, I will expand with more hives and probably experiment with different processes or setups. I love the idea of natural beekeeping, but know that with mites and other issues that can arise being so common, I should be a responsible beekeeper and do my best to keep them healthy before I experiment or try new things. So many long-time experienced beekeepers are losing their hives - or a lot of their hives - every winter, so I hope to make it through a winter. 

Now that we are in September, I have checked the hive again and we will start looking towards preparing them for winter and protecting them from invaders looking for warmth and food. I am happy to finally be keeping bees, after dreaming of them for many years. Every time I walk the dog on the back acre I see our hive setup and am grateful for all of the changes we have made in the past year to get here. My whole family jumped in headfirst to get us to this new place, and our life is so different than it was one year ago. We overwintered successfully in this new place, now we need to get the bees through their first winter here as well. 

​
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    denise cusack

    I am a certified aromatherapist, clinical herbalist, organic gardener, plant conservationist, photographer, writer, designer, artist, nature lover, permaculture designer, health justice activist, whole foods maker, and mother of two unschooled teens  in south central Wisconsin. 

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