Rabbits, Spring of 2019
Check out this blackgrass I have planted for them. Edible for rabbits. And beautiful as well.
Veronica spicata, blue carpet speedwell
Found this while hiking at the new property. Veronica spicata is edible, but is mostly used to create an herbal tea (an expectorant) to treat asthma and congestion. Also used as an additive for herbal tea blends.
Sounds like it might be useful for my next cold!
Sounds like it might be useful for my next cold!
4 O'Clocks, Mirabilis jalapa
Years ago I had discovered these beautifully flowered fragrant beauties hiding amongst the unwanted plants in the swale of my front yard. At that time I had thought the 4 o'clocks were pretty but toxic. It turns out there is mixed and conflicting information put there regarding Mirabilis, but Plants for a Future states that it has an edibility rating of 2 out of 5. And has been used in the past for medicinal purposes. And hallucinatory purposes.
The leaves are edible, but not the seeds or the roots. Other sources say the roots are edible. Be cautious.
I'm going to propagate this plant. It grows well year after year here and often creates seedlings in unexpected places.
The leaves are edible, but not the seeds or the roots. Other sources say the roots are edible. Be cautious.
I'm going to propagate this plant. It grows well year after year here and often creates seedlings in unexpected places.
Spring has sprung
Blooms. Everywhere. My favorite weeds have begun growing again. Some of my new favorite plants have survived this warm winter quite well.
Still have seeds of Spanish Needle and roots of Cardamom Ginger for sale.
Here is a quick snapshot of what is growing on in my main permaculture bed. Pictured here is a small loquat that I grew from seed; black grass, perennial sunflower, and tropical sage, from the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens. I am very much looking forward to their spring plant sale.
Still have seeds of Spanish Needle and roots of Cardamom Ginger for sale.
Here is a quick snapshot of what is growing on in my main permaculture bed. Pictured here is a small loquat that I grew from seed; black grass, perennial sunflower, and tropical sage, from the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens. I am very much looking forward to their spring plant sale.
Opuntia Placed Using the STUN method.
I may have said before that I am a huge fan of Mark Sheppard's STUN method of gardening, which is short for Sheer Total Utter Neglect. In short, you plant a whole lot of the thing you want to grow, as many different varieties as you wish, collect the seeds of the survivors, and continue to plant and collect seed of future generations so that you will be growing the best, most adapted plants for your space.
So I pruned all of my Opuntia, which came out to a lot more than I had thought it would. Filling up an entire bucket! From my postage stamp yard I was impressed. These are not old and large plants, but tiny things I have found in the neighborhood and bought one at the botancal gardens. These are the native Opuntias, be cautious when handling!
Then I took all the tunas to the new property, which I am going to have to give a name to. I had wanted to make a fortress of solitude out of the place complete with a moat of Cactus all around it, but as yet I dont have enough plant matter for that. So I placed them all in the ground in a protected area. Could always move them later on. I was delighted to find the sand was moist about an inch deep, perfect for these cacti! With any luck, I can STUN these into thousands more plants for my moat.
So I pruned all of my Opuntia, which came out to a lot more than I had thought it would. Filling up an entire bucket! From my postage stamp yard I was impressed. These are not old and large plants, but tiny things I have found in the neighborhood and bought one at the botancal gardens. These are the native Opuntias, be cautious when handling!
Rose Red
Whoever said roses were not a versatile and humble plant couldnt be more incorrect. These little beauties come from the big box store and look fantastic. Care requirements are high, as they are not native and not adapted. This is not a set it and forget it plant.
Rose hips are a good source of Vitamin C, as are Cranberry Hibiscus pods.
Rose hips are a good source of Vitamin C, as are Cranberry Hibiscus pods.
Opuntia, a revisiting
I have been rethinking the case for planting spiny Opuntia at the new place. The spiny Prickly Pear still makes a delicious fruit, and it has the added benefit of keeping out people, deer, and anything else soft and fleshy.
There is a very nice overview here.
I must have at least 20 starts in the front yard ready for transplant. Exciting!
There is a very nice overview here.
I must have at least 20 starts in the front yard ready for transplant. Exciting!
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