Food Forest Journal

This is a follow-up post from https://permies.com/t/371174/tweak-plan

I figured it'd make more sense for me to turn it into a journaling experience as time progresses.  Though I am forever seeking advice on was to tweak it, I want to build an ecosystem and that takes time and change.

I did find a source of mulch, still not enough to cover the lot but more than I was expecting from an area with a low tree population.  The local energy company came in clutch and delivered 4 truck loads for free.  I was about to give up and purchase some but I was looking at over 2K$ after transport costs.  I am still spreading it when I can, mainly to eradicate the poison ivy population I have had my great "JOYS" with.

I planted some very young stick trees early in the season but between deer and weather they mostly died off.  I learned my lesson and replaced with ones a bit older and they are thriving.  About 90% of the trees are now planted and have shown signs of life throughout.  Now to play the long waiting game while I establish the understory next year.  I found a good local source of serviceberry seedlings which bodes well for my hope of establishing them in the community.  I also found currants from a much more progressive town than usually found in Kansas.  (The even have a permaculture institute! Well, a group called one)

I have watched the plot closer than in years past mainly because I could now stand on it without trespassing but have eyed it for the last three from the boundary of my fence.  Not much surprised me about the condition but I did find a much larger stone wall than I had thought.  Some gooseberries that I cannot tell are purposefully planted or volunteer from seeds that birds ate from my own. Also a whole lot of poison ivy; one was a vine as thick as my wrist, which I didn't even know they could grow that big!

Loving the wildlife I see already starting to find niches in it.  I have a large family of ringneck snakes that have a beautiful orange belly.  Some toads and treefrogs have also been seen lurking.

I will update this seasonally, but I have been overjoyed to have a nice space that has solely been for outside greenery.

Four free truck loads is a proper result, nice one. Worth keeping the energy company's number handy, they seem to do those clearance runs every year or so. Looking forward to following the journal.