Robert Lightfoot

Rob, Michelle and Takota, congrats on your book endeavor.  

I struggle with trying to accomplish an already overbooked schedule and making the leap into bonified permiculture hits me with a reality check.   I adopt ideas that work for my small property and always seem to dream of bigger things that never come to fruition.  Like many, I do what I can.  High hopes and low expectations keep the dream alive.

Does your book have variations in size/scope of projects and ideas that would help those with limited time, money or resources.  Often times it's the little thing we miss that count the most.  Baby steps.

Neighbors shake their head at my habitat work that I started two years ago with 236 trees and shrubs planted on 2 acres.  I scaled back last year due to covid and only planted 12.  This year is starting to look up with crabapples, white oaks, chestnuts, hazelnuts, apple trees, clover, winter rye, brassica and a native prairie grass mix.

No wheelbarrow, no truck and a sore back.

I have a fenced off area, 82 feet per side, for my homes raised septic field.  The actual raised septic mound is 40 feet wide and orientated tight to one side.  I suppose, for whatever reason, if the field failed that another one could be built on the other half.  I'll cross that path when and if it ever occurs.

Last spring I planted 4 apple trees outside the fenced area opposite of the raised septic.  That puts the trees roughly 50-60 feet from the edge.  I may stand corrected, but I felt it was sufficient distance to feel safe about eating the apples.  I'd like to put in a small greenhouse in the far corner but have concerns about contamination.  How close is too close?

I live in Michigans eastern upper peninsula, zone 5a.  When my wife and I moved out here from California I had grand plans for a walapini, which is obviously out of the question for this location.  Unfortunately, the enclosed area is my only option for a greenhouse location on my property without encroaching on wildlife habitat, which I am unwilling to do.

Wendie and Catie, great informative posts, thank you.

The only thing that caught my eye was autumn olive, here in Michigan it is considered an invasive species and is frowned upon by the DNR.

How tall and wide of a tree is acceptable without interfering with the ditch itself, utilities, walkways etc?  Is it a residential, business or a more rural or park like situation?  I would guess hard mast, soft mast and berry producing trees and shrubs which would benefit wildlife and be used by people as well.  Oaks, pecan, hickory, hazelnut, apples, crabapples, pears, american plum, nannyberry, serviceberry, elderberry and the list goes on.  Variety is the spice of life.  

The one concern I would have is if you are more rural and have deer in the area.  Using cages or tubes to protect young trees from browse can be as expensive as the plants themselves.  Having kids involved in the community is awesome.  They will remember what and where they planted until they are old and grey.