The Rosewood Forest Garden

Yesterday was a fun day. It finally rained after weeks of a cold dry spring. We had also picked up an order of trees and shrubs on Monday and Tuesday and wanted to get planting. Why not get out there in the rain and transplant them so they could get watered in? So we went for it. All together we planted: 1 Prairie Welcome Pear 1 Aronia Viking 2 Thimbleberry 1 Wolfberry 1 Josta Berry 3 Gooseberries 2 Black Currants 2 Haskap 2 High Bush Blueberries 2 Low Bush Blueberries 2 Lingon Berries We also planted 2 Robert Chokecherry trees near, but not in, the food forest. Over last years mulching we seeded in white clover. This will provide a ground cover that will cut down on weeds and can be easily removed if needed as it has shallow roots. I also planted a mint plant into the food forest last week. I know it can get out of control but I want that. When it gets too much I will just chop and drop. This morning, I also planted some Sorrel and Borage seeds. I am nervous...

Well it's the Spring of 2020 and it's just over one year since I planted my first trees! I didn't put a fence or winter protection around me trees because we have no deer or rabbits. Our little oasis is totally surrounded by huge fields and larger wildlife seems to not make the jump. Unfortunately, this was the wrong decision. Mid winter a large snowshoe hare moved into the area and ate my cherries right to the snow line, most of one apricot, and large chunks of the other apricot, cherry plum and currants. I rushed to cover what I had left with tree guards and he didn't cause anymore damage. I started walking the dogs in a big loop around the property so he couldn't come back as well. The good news is that this spring, even the little 6 inch sticks left of the cherries has leaf buds. It make take them a bit to recover, but it looks like they are going to try! phew. Stupid rabbit. This spring my focus was to get the rest of the food forest area mulched before the...