Start to year 4!
Garlic, onions, leeks, and comfry are becoming my edge plants. It keeps grass back and is either edible or nitrogen fixer. I let much of it set seed and bulbs unused stay in the ground to multiply. I also hand toss onion, radish, turnip, carrot, and other annuals wherever soil gets exposed.
The
native Prarie flowers are really taking hold and topsoil is building generously. It works as great
deer detterant. The remaining 3
apple and pear have all set fruit. I do not spray, they got a touch of rust last year and about 7 granny Smith apples.
Hazelnut is leafing out well, but still must be protected from deer at this location.
Honeyberry that gets afternoon shade is happy and growing, a bit more deer resistant.
Blackberries might get out of control, time to start managing it.
Black raspberries might finally produce if it rains
enough.
Gold raspberries are preffered by deer , need to hide it better.
I have a mystery raspberry plant in the thicket... it's 2nd year stem is brownish orange and the leaves are like blackberry... it set flower and now we wait to see if it also sets fruit.
All in all, seems that nature is working with minimal care and plenty of casual strolling!