Matt mcmenaman

Crabapple huh? Yeah I guess it could be...

Does anyone know what this fruit/tree might be? I have been obsessed with watching it's maturation over the last few months. Just about everyday I pass it on the entrance ramp to a highway. It's a weeping type of tree with ovate serrated leaves. The fruits started out green and are now yellow. The other day I couldn't resist stopping on the ramp and stealing a couple berries (see picture). They are about the size of large cherries but they are firm to the touch. The seeds look apple-like.

I'm wondering what they are and if they are edible?

dirk leas wrote:I'm up in South Orange -- not exactly walking distance... I'm also taking Geoff's PDC (working on my design project).

Isn't there a north Jersey permaculture guild based somewhere around Duke Farms? I haven't gone to any of their events but I've seen that they host things fairly often.

Ta Nixon wrote:I don't know how I missed this post. I would definitely attend and would try to get others interested as well. Any tentative idea about dates yet?
Thanks for thinking of doing something like this, it's a splendid idea.

Phew, I was beginning to give up hope. Been busy lately and haven't talked to Brandon recently but originally we were shooting for early October - I think a Friday and Saturday. I am going to reach out to him this week and try to firm things up. I'll repost with updates.

John Kindziuk wrote:You can save this juice to jump start the next production.

@John,
I'm just getting into this fermentation thing and love it! I have been making pickles in my 5L Schmidt fermentation crock. I have been wondering if I can just take out pickles as they finish and insert new fresh cucumbers into the same brine. What do you think?
By the way, thanks for sharing your knowledge here. It's been really helpful

Matt

Hey Steven, I'm in NJ just south of Trenton so not very close to AC but what the heck... I'm interested. I'm a permie novice myself and working to implement what I learn on my property. I'd love to get together somehow and find out how that PDC with Geoff Lawton is going.

Matt

I'm trying to arrange to have Brandon come and slaughter/butcher/process my two hogs in early October. It will be a two-day class with 8 spots for hands-on instruction and additional (cheaper) spots for observational instruction. Anyone interested in attending? Before I commit to fly him out here I want to be sure I can fill the class. It would be in Columbus NJ (40 minutes NE of Philly). I would have limited space on my property for tents (free lodging) and could provide meals for a small fee.

Matt

Thanks for the ideas. I'll try some dill, parsely and cilantro. Also the garlic is a great idea but I won't be planting that until October. Believe it or not I've had good success with starting root crops in the soil cubes and then planting them out. I guess since I'm using the actual garden soil and compost to make the cubes, the plants transfer without any root shock or other problems.

Actually, I don't think I actually did use any beans - just the snap peas but I'll keep them away from the alliums. Thanks for that tip. I do have some favas but I'll be direct seeding those. Also, I do have some lettuce and spinach too, forgot to mention that.

I guess I'll just try to group plants that don't compete in the same root zone and aren't unfriendly with each other (like onions and beans). I wonder if I can get the snap peas to trellis up the brussel sprouts?

Thanks again!

So I made a bunch of soil cubes and planted seeds in them: broccoli, brussel sprouts, leeks, onions, radishes, carrots, snap peas, and beans. Maybe a few others I can't remember right now. My question is, what's the best way to plant these out guild style? I made a bunch of woody bed rows (2 feet wide with buried old wood on the bottom, topped with earth and compost) to plant into. I've experimented in the past with just intermingling the different plants and avoiding single rows of monocrops but I really have no idea how to construct a guild. I'd appreciate any advice. I'm in zone 6b/7 in NJ near the PA border. I'm also wondering if there are any beneficial flowers/herbs I can still start from seed to include in the fall garden?

Thanks

Matt

Anyone know if the seeds are good for human or chicken consumption? I'm always looking for alternative grains. BTW this is the first summer I was confident to ID lambsquarter and harvest some for eating. I read that cooking the greens renders the oxalic acid harmless. We sauteed it like spinach (garlic and oil) and served it to the whole family. Everyone liked it but the teenagers were weirded out by eating weeds-LOL! I didn't tell them until afterwards (cue evil laugh here)