Actually, the link I was talking about is a different one. If you google Dave Wilson fruit trees, he has a great website. My neighbor has a standard orange tree that is over 100 years old. It's so majestic! I love knowing that I have plenty of food in the backyard, too.
I will google Dave Wilson. Thanks.
Hi, relatively new here. Living in the Southern BC Gulf Islands. Moved here in 2020, though we owned the property and rented prior. As the Gulf Islands are a threatened ecological zone, I am looking to ensure I contribute to preserving and enhancing the natural flora and fauna. Ideally, I would like to work to create a food forest largely based on local species. I am also looking to avoid adding carbon to the atmosphere.
One of my first steps was to deal with the fallen branches and trees. If suitable I do leave them to become nurse trees (hoping for huckleberries to take advantage of their stored water). For excess debris I am building hügelkultur mounds. This both provides a composting berm for large amounts of branches, and creates new soil, which I need lots of. Just learning about hügelkultur still, but I see it as a great tool in supporting my growing needs.
Next I am trying to learn how to propagate local species with mixed results. Salmonberries are easy, basically break off a branch and stick it in the ground. Wild strawberries are also easy. Not as much luck with Oregon Grapes, huckleberries, black cap raspberries. And no luck so far with trying to start Dogwoods and Yew trees (though I did find a 10" yew sapling in the ditch).
I would like to leave this place such that there is a natural food supply for the next person. At least I want to start the process.
Sounds wonderful, ThetisIslander! Good luck!
To give pleasure to a single heart by a single act is better than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." Mahatma Gandhi
Be nice whenever possible. It's always possible. HH Dalai Lama
In a world where you can be anything - be kind. Unknown
Like happystuff, I think your ideas are wonderful!! Do you have local permaculture resources down there for advice? Or maybe a permaculture Facebook page?
When I hear about people like you doing what they can in their corner of the earth to restore and regenerate the land, it's so inspiring. Sometimes it feels so hopeless when you see what people who love nature are up against, but then you see others who are plugging away to make things better and that's what restores hope. So thank you for doing what you're doing!
As an example of people who make a difference, I've held on to this story about a woman in the Southeast who also did an incredible job in restoring the land. I keep this article bookmarked, because she is an enviornmental hero to me.
https://www.oprah.com/world/valer-au...land-in-mexico
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it--every, every minute?" Emily Webb, Our Town
www.silententry.wordpress.com
My skill with plants is legendary. They write songs about the plants I have killed. However, we do what we can. Luckily I come from a gardening/poor family and I did pick up some by osmosis. On Thetis Island we have a large environmental group which has just started a Nature Stewards program. Aiming to get landowners to ensure that 30% of their land remains natural. I am just doing a little at a time.
The way I figure it, that politician will not become the leaders we want them to be on climate change until we demonstrate that we are willing to follow.
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