Underground garden

This HGTV video is about an orchard that was planted in a series of connected pits in the ground to protect them from the sun, until they became established and provided shade for the rest of the property. I thought it was very pretty, if not practical for me.

I've visited this place and it is an amazing example of working with what you have. Well worth a trip to Fresno.

I've always wanted to see that in person.

That link wouldn't work for me, but I found this one...  http://www.5min.com/Video/Visit-Forestieres-Underground-Gardens-in-Fresno-California-304058673

Fascinating concept, if only I had 22 foot of soil to play with instead of just one.  For me it's 'plant the most appropriate trees, try to keep them watered, and wait til they cast enough shade'. 

Where there is a will, there is a way.  Amazing achievement, and a beautiful work of art. 

that is interesting, here i'm fortunate to have aspens that work well as a nurse tree to provide shade and protection to trees i want to grow..but i do remember in our frojt area when there were NO trees growing here

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=24262&id=1846485863&l=9ba86ebd35

updated photos of the crazy overgrowth of the place now !

Brenda, the importance of nurse trees cannot be overstated.  The Paw Paws we planted are taking full advantage of them.  The one that was planted in full sun was not doing well until we re-transplanted it under the nurse trees.  The one that was originally planted under the trees has doubled in size in 3 months. 

How nice it would be to have those tunnels for planting a new stand of trees on a flat open area.  In New York, the summer sun can be a brutal as the plains of the midwest.  We are in the middle of a heatwave now, and the high humidity is making it unbearable to be outside.


Al

if only I had 22 foot of soil to play with instead of just one. 

Calling that stuff soil is stretching the term. Even during the rainy season, it's more like adobe bricks under foot. The most amazing thing about it is he dug it all with hand tools. (And only a small portion of what he dug is open today.) The second most amazing thing is that he got any plants whatever to grow in it, even after amendments.

His original idea was to make an underground resort where people could come to cool off.