Anyone growing this? Sounds like a nice potential nitrogen fixer/food forest addition. Russian olive in general is a pain and invasive, but if it had nice fruit to harvest it might be worth having around.
I've planted it. So far, it is has not been invasive in any sense of the word in my location (xeric California Oak woodland). No sprouts, no spreading seed, ect. Mine has been in the ground for 2 years now and it's not yet bearing fruit. It's sort of just trudging along, and not really growing that robustly, so I really can't say if nitrogen fixation has been any benefit to it yet.
I'd recommend planting it. You might also look into other nitrogen-fixing bushes like Gojii Berry (Wolfberry) and Seaberry http://www.burntridgenursery.com/fruitingPlants/index_product.asp?dept=43&parent=28. I've got some seaberry seedlings ready to go in the ground later this spring. I was also about to plant gojii, but as it turns out, I might be allergic to it.
I'll be planting both of those too.
I tried Seabuckthorn from seed last year, got plenty to germinate, but I didn't harden them off enough/baby them once I got them outside.
I've ordered plants from Burnt Ridge, and am trying another round of seeds this time with more attention to detail.
For Goji a single berry even from a store bought "antioxidant mix" will likely yield more than enough seeds to start. I've had almost 100% germination which is pretty impressive. Can't help on the allergy issue.
Good to know someone else is growing the Eleaeagnus.
A few folks from NAFEX have been discussing this species recently. Several of us would like to buy seed and grow it out in a wide variety of locations and then compare our results. Baker Seeds have them listed in their catalog, but they are already sold out.
I may try and buy some dried fruit for an Iranian online grocer, but the ones I have tried so far won't ship to Canada. Does anyone on this thread have seed they could share?
I don't believe goji berry fixes nitrogen. If it does, I'd love to know your source. That would give me even more reason to carry it in my food forest nursery,
Gogi is a remarkable plant that belongs in every permaculture garden that can grow it, but like other members of the Solanaceae family, it does not fix nitrogen from the air.
Post by:autobot
Justin Rhodes 45 minute video tour of wheaton labs basecamp
![[Logo]](/templates/default/mobile/images/mobile-permies-2015.png)
