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  • Start Here
  • About
    • About Our Family >
      • About Denise Cusack
    • Our Values >
      • Plant Conservation/Botanical Sanctuary
      • WR Environmental Commitment
  • What We Do
    • Permaculture Education
    • Regenerative Herbalism & Aromatherapy
  • Online Courses
    • The Regenerative Herbalist
    • Regenerative Plant Medicine Business
    • Aromatic Herbalism
  • Work With Denise
    • Permaculture Design
    • Speaking, Presentations >
      • Upcoming Presentations
      • Past Webinars, Podcasts & Classes
    • Denise Writing
  • Library
    • On the Blog >
      • Blog Archive
    • What is Permaculture?
    • Freebies
    • Wholly Rooted Farm Photos
    • Where We Are Located
    • What I'm Reading
    • Denise Art + Design >
      • Denise Art
      • Photography
    • Health Justice + Restorative Relationships + Mutual Aid >
      • HWB Donation Distribution Network
      • Seed Grants & Donation Distribution Network
      • Grow a Row for HWB
  • Media
  • Contact+

2020 Garden Planning.

12/15/2019

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It felt so odd typing 2020 into the title. Can you believe we are almost at 2020? That is amazing. I am excited to enter this new decade in our space, expanding and honing our vision for this land.

This is the time of year where any spare time is spent looking throughout seed catalogs, comparing the seeds I purchased last year with my notes on how things did where, seeing what I still have some seeds for, and what I need to purchase. We had so many things do so well last summer, and we had a lot of new things go into the ground we won't see a harvest from for several years. Some of our woodland medicinals fall into that category as they take several years from seed - and we have some from bare root and some from seed. We may not see Goldenseal for awhile, but we know it is there. 

The plan for 2020 is to expand all of the garden areas, increase the forest guilds, plant around the whole back garage building, plant more natives and water loving plants in the moist areas, and more drought tolerant natives where it is dry. I love posting my lists to the blog because is it a great thing to have when I look back next year, comparing notes and memories. It also makes me feel more accomplished when working on a few acres, because when you don't plant in rows, sometimes it looks like not a lot is there, when in actuality it is a vast amount of plant materials, but spread out over land as plant do naturally in the wild. 

2020 Medicinal Perennials

Arisaema triphyllum, Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Blood Root, Sanguinaria canadensis
Blue Cohosh, Caulophyllum thalictroides
​​Blue Vervain, Verbena hastata
Culver's Root, Veronicastrum virginicum
Fireweed, Chamaenerion angustifolium
Sweet flat, Acorus americanus
Bilberry,Vaccimium myrtillus
Oregon Grape, Mahonia aquifolium
Rhodiola, Rhodiola rosea
​False Unicorn, Chamaelirium luteum
​Uva Ursi, Arctosyaphylos uva-ursi
Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria
​​Oats (milky & straw, gf), Avena sativa

Onion, Allium cepa
​Stevia, Stevia rebaudiana
​Large-Flowered Trillium, Trillium grandiflorum
Spotted Bee Balm, Monarda punctata

Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis
Wild yam, Dioscorea quaternata
​Mullein, Verbascum thapsus
Peony, Paeonia sp
Schisandra, Schisandra chinensis
Purslane

Already Growing on Our Land/Natives

American Elderberry Bush
​Great Blue Lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica
Burdock, Arctium lappa
Wild Cucumber, Echinocysis lobata 

Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium
​Monarda fistulosa, 2 types
Plantain, Plantago major

​Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca
Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, sullivantii, and incarnata
​Speedwell, Veronica chamaedrys
Yarrow, Achillia millefolium
Yellow Dock, Rumex crispus
​Hoary vervain, Verbena stricta

Goldenrod, Solidago  sp
Purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea
​Cleavers, Galium aparine
Evening Primrose
, Oenothera biennis
Sweet Woodruff - Galium odoratum
Joe Pye weed, Eupatorium macalatum
Boneset, Eupatorium perfolatum
Wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana
Wild geranium, Geranium macalatum
​False Solomon's Seal - Maianthemum racemosum

​Wild phlox - Phlox spp
Monarda, Monarda fistulosa, didyma

May Apple, Podophyllum peltatum
Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra
Wild Rose, Rosa spp.
Wood Violet, Viola sororia
​Starry Campion, Silene stellata

Red Clover, Trifolium pratense
Wild grape, Vitis riparia

Ground ivy, Glechoma hederaceae
Stinging nettle, Urtica dioica
Lambsquarters, Chenopodium album
Chickweed, Stellaria media
​Skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora

Self heal, Prunella vulgaris
Anemone
​Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare

Verbena urticifolia, white vervain
Mullein, Verbascum thapsus
​Lily of the Valley
​Wild ginger, Asarum canadense
Hoary vervain, Verbena stricta

​Goldenrod, Solidago  sp
​Purple prairie clover, Dalea purpurea
Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra
Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum biflorum

Wild Rose, Rosa spp.
Wood/Common Blue Violet, Viola sororia
Marsh Blue Violet, Vioa cucullata
Sweet White Violet, Viola blanda

​Velvet leaf, Abutilon theophrasti
Mexican Sunflower

Milk thistle, Carduus nutans
Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale
​Pineapple weed, Chamomilia sp
Wood sorrel, Oxalis spp
White Clover, Trifolium pratense
Wild lettuce, Lacuta virosa

Chicory, Cichorium intybus
​Queen Anne's Lace, Daucus carota

Planted Natives

(some overlap with above)
Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium
Prairie Lily, Lilium philadelphicum

​Monarda fistulosa, 2 types
​Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca
Milkweed, Asclepias tuberosa, sullivantii, and incarnata
​New England Aster, Aster Novae-Angliae
​Tall bellflower, Campanula americana
Echinacea pallida
Blazing star, Liatris pycnostachya
Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis
Blue lobelia, Lobelia siphilitica
Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia subtomentosa
Goldenrod, Solidago  sp
White doll's eyes, Actaea pachypoda
Black cohosh, Actaea racemosa
Ostrich fern, Matteuccia struthiopteris
Big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii
Black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa
Sky blue aster, Aster azureus
Harebell, Campanula rotundifolia
Stiff coreopsis, Coreopsis palmata
Cleavers, Galium aparine
Sweet Woodruff - Galium odoratum
Boneset, Eupatorium perfolatum
Wild strawberry, Fragaria virginiana
Wild geranium, Geranium macalatum
Blue flag iris, Iris versicolor
Prairie Coreopsis, Coreopsis palmata
Shepherd's Purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris

Trees

Red Maple / Acer rubrum
Sugar Maple / Acer saccharum
Service berry / Amelanchier canadensis
Hawthorn / Crataegus monogyna
Hazelnut /
Pine
Juniper / Juniperus communis
Fir
Linden
Forsythia
Lilac
Norway Spruce / Picea abies
Cottonwood / Populus deltoides

Perennials & Self Seeders in Ground

Agrimony, Agrimonia eupatoria
Angelica, Angelica archangelica
Anise Hyssop, Agastache foeniculum
Andrographis, Andrographis paniculata

Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera
Bay, Laurus nobilis (pot)
Blackberry, Rubus sp
Black Cohosh, Actaea racemosa
Boneset, Eupatorium perfoliatum
​Brahmi, Bacopa monnieri
Burdock, Arctium lappa
Catnip, Nepteta cataria
​Chamomile, Matricaria recutita
Clary Sage, Salvia sclarea
Dill, Anethum graveolens
Echinacea, Echinacea angustifolia
Echinacea, Echinacea pallida
Elecampane, Inula helenium
Feverfew, Tanacetum parthenium
Figwort, Scrophularia nodosa
Helichrysum, Helichrysum arenarium (pot)
Hydrastis canadensis
Hyssop, Hyssopus officinalis
​Lady's Mantle - Alchemellia vulgaris
Lavender, Lavandula angustifolia
Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis
Lovage, Levisticum officinale
Lycii (GOJI), Lycium barbarum
Hairy Mountain Mint, Pycnanthemum verticillatum

Moldavian Dragonshead Balm
​Motherwort, Leonurus cardiaca
Mugwort, Artemesia vulgaris
Parsley, Petroselinum crispum
Patchouli, Pogostemon cablin (pot)
Peppermint, Mentha sp x5
Panax quinquefolius
​Ramps, Allium tricoccum
Raspberry, Rubus idaeus
Rose, Rosa sp
​Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum biflorum
St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum
​Thyme, Thymus vulgaris
Uva Ursi, Arctostaphylos uva ursi
Valerian, Valeriana officinalis
​White Horehound
​Dagga, Leonotis nepetaefolia

Wood Betony, Stachys officinalis

Annual Herbs From Seed

(From seed)
Dill
Sage
​Basils
Borage
Calendula
Cilantro
Cornflower
​Hibiscus
​Marshmallow
Licorice
Bitter Melon
Passionflower (pot)
Mexican Tarragon
​Tulsi x4
Flax
Moringa
Sweet Mace
Nasturtium
​Nigella
Milky Oats/Oat Straw
Oregano
Lemongrass
Stevia
Cayenne
CA Poppy
Summer Savory
Marjoram
​Rosemary (pot)
​Shiso
Sorrel
Spilanthes
​Caraway
Fennel

Eucalyptus

Fruit: Bushes Canes Trees

American Cranberry Bush
Hansen' Bush Cherry
Russian Mulberry Bush
Arapaho Blackberry
Blueberry, Jersey
Aronia melanocarpa
Goji Berry, Sweet Lifeberry 
Lingonberry, Koralle
Raspberry, Royalty
Gooseberry, Pixwell
Hale-Haven Peach
Stayman Winesap Apple
Red Jonathan Apple
Early Harvest Apple
Damson Plum
Apple Serviceberry Tree
Saskatoon Serviceberry 
Strawberries
​Red Mulberry / Morus rubra
​Choke Cherry / Prunus virginiana

Crab Apple / Pyrus coronaria
Elderberry / Sambucus spp
Nannyberry / Viburnum lentago
Rhubarb
Horseradish

Flowers

Cosmos, Craspedia, Poppy, Sunflower, Snapdragon, Zinnia, Gomphrena, Celosia, Phlox, Dahlia, statice, cleome, cornflower, celosia, amaranth, strawflower, aster, stock, salvia, lisianthus, baby's breath

Bulbs in Ground

tulips, allium, crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, snowdrop, larkspur

Food Plants

I have a list that we whittled down after having a little bit too much of a few things and not enough of others. I will post my list when we have it done.
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It feels like we have a small part of the acres planted, but when I look at that list I feel pretty satisfied that we have been working forward in our 15 months living here.  One thing we are working towards is creating a botanical sanctuary space where we can give plant walks and where we work to preserve wild plants from our region and county. We are lucky to be very near a large state wildlife area that is several thousand acres with no trails, no parking (other than a few gravel spots on the highway). In studying some of the rare Wisconsin plants found in that area, I am able to focus also look to grow some of these endangered plants that are found within a mile of our land. Our area is a part of the wetland drumlin complex left when the Wisconsin glacier receded, and we have tamarack and mixed deciduous forest, drumlins (our house is along the edge of a drumlin), and the wildlife area even has a tamarack bog. Yes, I am a botany geek. It has so many unique grasses, sedge, and plants such as sensitive fern, marsh ettle, bellwort, bloodroot, blue cohosh, rue-anemone, canada mayflower, and even a rare bog rosemary. Wisconsin even has an orchid species, that has been reported in that area. We know that area also has muskrat, otter, mink, deer, cranes, wood ducks, fish, and many other animals and species that reflect how amazingly diverse this area has always been. If we can plant and diversity even a few acres of land, we will have a pretty spectacular place here. Big goals. One step at a time. 
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FIrst year.

9/25/2019

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This has been our first growing season at this property. It was a good idea to start smaller, and build a few garden areas first, and see how the wind, water, sun, animals, and insects are. Some things did amazingly well - we still have tomatoes up to our eyeballs in late September - and some things, meh (beans? where are the beans?). The medicinal herbs bed was a good start as well. It was enough to manage 5 different locations of herbs as I went through a summer finding an amazingly wide variety of medicinals growing wild on our land or road. 
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As we wander towards October, things are winding down and and yet we also still have so much happening. I love the location of the main food bed, and it will be easy to expand along down the side every year, and to slip a greenhouse in that area as well. I can tell what herbs I need to grow more of next year, what I should pull, and where to transplant out some of the bush seed starts that will be ready to upgrade to their own areas next year (St. John's Wort!). 

Draper, our dog, and I, have walked miles and miles this summer on the land. My step tracker says I hit 40-50K a week, and that is mostly here. Back and forth, up and down, side to side, all the way around. I am so happy at how many medicinals and natives we have growing here, and am pretty happy with the start of both the front and back orchards. We had one tree seller that had a horrible die rate (and a really ridiculously work-intensive hoop jumping return guarantee), but other plants have all done really well. WE have apple, plum, peach, pear, cherry, elderberry, nannyberry, aronia, goji, raspberry, currants and more - all that will hopefully have fruit by next year.
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I am especially happy that I still feel good here, like walking, rarely see another person, haven't had any issues with animals, only minimal insects (deer flies in July - I'm talking about you - and I haven't missed since you disappeared). It still feels right and good. And beautiful and big. The views are still wow, the smell of the air and the wonderful blue skies and light breezes are amazing. 

We will now start thinking about prepping the chicken coop and run for winter. I have some ideas that I need to test out - I want some areas sheltered from huge snowdrifts, but also want to still be able to see them so if anything gets in there with them, I know. I want to rig an insulation panel system that uses velcro for panels that go up and down for ease of cleaning (and there is rafter ventilation). The solar light system is good, and we had an outlet put along the back wall so we can run a water de-icer out there and a light for winter. We have great motion sensor lighting system, but want more inside the coop light. My husband wants to move them against the house for winter, but I don't want mice and think they should stay where they are, so we shall see. 

I can't wait to pick all our pumpkins we grew, see the leaves change, and pull in for fall and winter. I am in need of a nice winter of fireplaces, baking, and working on my writing projects. Here is to a good first year. xo
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Keeping of the bees.

9/4/2019

1 Comment

 
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I have always wanted to keep bees. I love their magical dances, quiet dedication to the greater good, their dedication to the queen and enigmatic communication that we humans don't understand. We have always worked on having habitat for native pollinators, who do need our help. And while some think bringing a box of bees into an environment is not natural, what the bees do when we "keep" them, it really pretty independent from us as much as we pretend to have control over the situation. 

When we moved here I knew I wanted to keep bees. I was happy to see that the neighbors who have their permaculture forest guild wilderness across the road had a few hives down the road. I know most of the native plants and medicinals we plant are loved by both natives and honeybees, and we also planted two areas of orchard. We have bush fruit in the back orchard area - cherries, elderberries, nannyberries - and in the front orchard we have aronia, goji, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, apple, peach, plum, and serviceberry. We also have wild raspberries, mulberries, and blackberries. And, we have many other plants and flowering trees. Truly enough support and food for our pollinators. 
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So, of course as it goes, we installed bees when they arrived at the post office. We had everything ready to go, and we transferred them into the hive. As a new beekeeper, while I spent years reading about beekeeping, I have been reading ongoing now as well, so that I follow the season and know what to look for as I have been inspecting and checking throughout the summer. 

I was a little nervous on my first inspection, but know that they can smell our fear, and so I focus on telling them how amazing they are, thank them for pollinating my plants, and radiate love. It might sound cheesy, but I do think that helps keep them calm. I do inspect suited up - I know some don't wear gloves or a suit - but I move with intention, carefully, and thankfully. The inspections have gone well all summer. I find what I should, I proceed through the hives, and I find the queen or evidence of the queen. 
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I know as I get more experience working with them, I will expand with more hives and probably experiment with different processes or setups. I love the idea of natural beekeeping, but know that with mites and other issues that can arise being so common, I should be a responsible beekeeper and do my best to keep them healthy before I experiment or try new things. So many long-time experienced beekeepers are losing their hives - or a lot of their hives - every winter, so I hope to make it through a winter. 

Now that we are in September, I have checked the hive again and we will start looking towards preparing them for winter and protecting them from invaders looking for warmth and food. I am happy to finally be keeping bees, after dreaming of them for many years. Every time I walk the dog on the back acre I see our hive setup and am grateful for all of the changes we have made in the past year to get here. My whole family jumped in headfirst to get us to this new place, and our life is so different than it was one year ago. We overwintered successfully in this new place, now we need to get the bees through their first winter here as well. 

​
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Chickens.

8/14/2019

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One of the things we have wanted to include on our little farmette is chickens. Not only do chickens lay eggs, and my teenager is, and has always been, a chicken whisperer (and while he is allergic to all mammals/meat/milk, he is not allergic to feathered animals or eggs!), and they are also wonderful in a permaculture system. They eat bugs, weeds, and bits and pieces of garden plants, and they leave rich fertilizer for our compost, orchards, and gardens. We are raising them only for their eggs and fertilizer, not for meat. They will hopefully live a long and happy life here at Lunar Hollow!

We got 6 sexed chicks in early March, and inevitably one was a rooster - so we have 1 big guy and 5 hens. We have 2 golden laced wyandotte, 2 silver laced wyandotte, and 2 barred rock. They should all be pretty cold hardy in our Wisconsin winters. The boys initially wanted to name them after epic video game characters (Ahri, Aurelion Sol, Cassiopeia, Fiora, Jinx, Kai'sa, Shyvana, etc.), but I have just naturally fallen into calling them by names that end with the -ie sound, since it is easy on the mouth and easier to remember for me, so the names are starting to stick. The boy is Budgie, then we have Siouxie, Terri, Cyndi, Annie, and Toni. (Can you tell how old I am from the names?) 
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We live with a natural woods barrier on one side, but 3 other sides are pretty open for wandering (& one side is along our road), so we have not let them roam without supervision yet. Every day they get out to roam in a different area and we are taking them farther from the coop and run each time, and training them to come back when called (treats!). It took a few of us to herd them back each time, but now I can do it myself with only minimal clucking sounds, as they know what awaits them when they return. As the summer winds down, they will get to wander in our food gardens, medicinal beds, and orchard, and we will know they will come back with us when it is time. 
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We started with just 6 chickens, but plan to add possibly geese or ducks next year, if we make it through the first winter with the chickens. We shall see. It worked out well for us to start with only 6 and get used to the routine and care of the chickens before expanding.

It is interesting to see the intelligence of the chickens, see their personalities, and see them learn and figure things out. They are fun little dinosaurs! Our next phase for the chickens is figuring out the best way to add some shelter/tarp area for rainy season and as we go into winter and snow. Also, winterizing the coop...any tips? 
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summer living.

7/24/2019

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Summer has been in full force here. Record breaking heat, storms, winds, sunsets. All spring it was a lot of work, but also a lot of discovery. We first looked at this home last July and moved in September, with only a few hours on the property in between. So, it was a guess about the land, the plants, the soil. We have been really happy to find so many natives and medicinal plants growing here. For awhile it was a daily discover, and now in peak summer, I have identified a lot of what is growing here. We have been very lucky to find (I'm sure I am forgetting a few): 
milkweed
yarrow
new england aster
joe pye weed
monarda
lilac
apple
plantain
sweet woodruff
​wild strawberry
pineapple mint
blackberry
wild raspberry
​fiddleheads
​
black cohosh
tea rose
cottonwood
spruce
pine
juniper
ground ivy
nettles
self-heal
day lily
​blue flag iris
echinacea
motherwort
​sumac
mulberry
burdock
goldenrod
chickweed
cleavers
violet
dandelion
​speedwell
garlic mustard (of course!)
curly dock
​elder
wild lettuce
wild grape
pink clover
​chicory
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sThere were also many garden plants in ground besides the trees including asparagus, raspberry, and strawberry. 

We also have been working to plant a lot of food and medicinals. We started by creating a few beds in one primary area and widening a few existing beds. We got a lot into the ground.  We started a beautiful triangle medicinal bed and a strip along the food bed for plants that can be moved out into more of a permaculture guild design ongoing - including wormwood, anise hyssop, tulsi, skullcap, brahmi, calendula, white horehound, dagga, echinacea, milkweed, lemon balm, spearmint, peppermint, St. John's Wort, mugwort, hyssop, clary sage, elecampane, Moldavian dragonhead balm, lavender, agrimony, thyme, sage, evening primrose, and a bunch more. We also got plants such as rose, valerian, solomon's seal, black cohosh, american ginseng and a few others into the ground, but it will take a few years to see anything. We also have about 50 pots with herbs on our deck and stairs in back that includes rosemary, fig, lemon, lime, passionflower, and more culinary goodies that like heat. We installed a few flower cutting beds as well, to have fresh flowers all summer - which is nice.  We have also been preserving and pickling away from our food beds.
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I feel like there are not enough hours in the day, but that is the nature of working a few acres, homeschooling, volunteering almost full time, having a mentor, volunteering in clinic, taking several classes, and trying to have a life! I am enjoying summer as much as I can, while also starting to look forward to autumn and winter for downtime (ha!). 

All of that and I have not even mentioned our dog, chickens, or bees. We not only got a new house, we got a whole new life. 

More later. Because one thing I have noticed is that I mess the blogs of the 00's. When we would write, share, read, comment, and have actual conversations. I feel overwhelmed by instagram and facebook a bit. More of a throw everything at the wall and see what sticks endeavor, not conscious thoughts assembled to share connect. I mean, I suppose there are people trying to do that, but the more "popular" one is on social media, the more it is just posting to get everyone to tell you how amazing you are. Not anything that benefits the relationship between the two or the reader/viewer. Mostly a poster ego stroke, and I am just not into that.  I feel like I want to get some of the old engagement and conversation back. SO, I will be writing likely to myself, for myself, with only myself to read it, but ... it is time to take back this space. until then.
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Big plans.

2/12/2019

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We have had a few months settling in, getting used to wind, water, slope, drainage. Bugs, animals (lots of animals). We have been working to develop a big plan for planting, but really wanted to get to know things a bit first. 

We have been working on the big plan - where the beehives will go, the compost pile, the coop, the cutting garden, the food garden, the fruit trees/orchard, the cane fruit, the nut trees, the medicinal gardens, the greenhouse. ​I have been working on and tweaking a digital plan (see above). We adopted a dog recently, and so I have been walking the perimeter in sun, rain, and snow, so some of that will change as I have walked the land so much I have a better idea of space and light and drainage.
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I am trying to make gradual process in some areas, but I also want to get a lot done (without burning out my family helpers). We laid out some black tarps in the fall, planted some canes and fruit, deer-proofed the small plants - we see a dozen deer a day on our property - and then plotted out where the other beds will go and where we hope to install the high tunnel. We have many bare root and 2nd year plants coming in the spring, so we will plant as we get them! We have our starter beehives and bees will be coming this spring. We have a plan for chickens and geese, but we may ease into that as we recently got a dog and there is much work to be done to get this all started, and more coop and animal care might be too much for everyone. We shall see how we feel once the snow starts to melt!

Our goal is to create not only a permaculture farmette here with food and medicinal plants, but also educational gardens and a space for classes. By working to preserve endangered plants as we can, this space will become a botanical sanctuary, caring for pollinators, plants, and people. 

We setup a large seed starting system and I have started seeds. I will share more on that later - but here is our big plan for this year. 
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2019 Planting Plan

Fruit Trees, Bushes, Canes
American Cranberry Bush
American Elderberry Bush
Hansen' Bush Cherry
Russian Mulberry Bush
Arapaho Blackberry
Blueberry, Jersey
Aronia melanocarpa
Goji Berry, Sweet Lifeberry 
​Meyer lemon
Lime
​Pomegranate

Lingonberry, Koralle
Raspberry, Royalty
Gooseberry, Pixwell
Hale-Haven Peach
Stayman Winesap Apple
Red Jonathan Apple
Early Harvest Apple
Damson Plum
Apple Serviceberry Tree
Saskatoon Serviceberry 
Strawberries

Veggies & Vine Fruit:
Asparagus
Celery
Chinese Pink Celery
Manganji Pepper
Leek
Nadapeno pepper
Tomato, Dark Galaxy
Burdock
Brussels Sprouts
Roma Tomato
Tomato, Amish Paste
Pod Peas
Tomato, Druzba
Pie Pumpkin
Radish - 4 types
Fennel
Snap Peas
Cherry Tomato
Carrots, 4 types
Scallions
Lipstick Pepper
Nopeno peppers
Turnip
Beets, 4 types
Celtuce
Salsify
Yellow Straightneck Squash
Pickling Cucumber
Japanese Cucumber
​String Beans
Soy Beans/Edamame
Sweet Corn
Gem Corn
Popcorn
Hopi Gray Squash
Pattypan Squash
Rhubarb
Shishito Pepper
​Swiss Chard
Arugula
Spinach
Luffa Gourd
Kale
Muskmelon
Watermelon
Honeydew Melon
Medicinals:
St John's Wort
Scented geranium
Parsley
Goldenrod
Hidcote Lavender
Lady's Mantle
Black Cohosh
Sage
Purslane
Sweet Woodruff
Lemon Balm
Peppermint
Echinacea
​Burdock
Monarda
Yarrow
Clary Sage
Elecampane
​Bitter Melon
Boneset
Hyssop
Valerian
Blue iris
Ramps
American Ginseng
Evening Primrose
German Chamomile
Mugwort
Lobelia
Motherwort
Uva Ursi
Bilberry
Clary Sage
Wood Betony
Chickweed
Sweet Annie
Horehound, White
Meadowsweet
Mullein
Astragalus
Skullcap, baical
Skullcap, helmet
Hops
Helichrysum
Vervain, Blue
Solomon's Seal
Comfrey
Rose
Self Heal
Eucalyptus
Licorice
Wormwood
Agrimony
Chives
Ashwagandha
Purple Betony
Thyme, English
Rosemary
Dill
Lamb's Ears
Basil, BLue SPice
Milk Thistle
Mexican Tarragon
Oregano
Roselle, Hibiscus
Borage
Cilantro
Sweet Mace
Wild Dagga
Basil, Persian
Sweet Marjoram
California Poppy
Brazilian vervain
Basil, Cinnamon
Basil, Genovese
Basil, Opal
Tansy
Stevia
Moringa
Moldavian Dragonshead Balm
Lettuce Leaf Basil
Anise
Agastache
Flax
Tulsi/Holy Basil
Lovage
Lavender Hyssop
Calendula, Resina
Calendula, Pacific Beauty
Soapwort
Dandelion
Marshmallow
Oats
Spilanthes
Mint
Milkweed, 3 varieties
Nettles


General Trees & Bushes:

Hazelnut
Pine
Juniper
Fir
Red Maple
Hawthorn Tree
Hawthorn
Linden
Oregon Grape Root
Forsythias
Lilac

Cutting Garden:
Stock
Dianthus
Cherry Caramel Phlox
Gailardia
Irish Poet
Dahlia
Viola
Lupine
Scabiosa
Nigella
Iceland Poppy
Siberian Wallflower
Phlox, Sugar Stars
Blue monday sage
Penstemon
Viola
Snapdragons, 4 types
Sweet Pea, 4 types
Bachelors Buttons
Staice
Zinnia - 6 types
Love in a Mist
Cockscomb
Gomphrena
Sunflower - 4 types
Amaranth
Sorghum
Scabiosa
Dahlias - 6 types

Planted in fall:
Tulips
Crocuses
Daffodils
Ginseng, American
Ramps
Valerian
Goldenseal
Solomon's Seal
Black Cohosh
Lavender
Yarrow
Echinacea
Goji
Blueberry
Raspberry
Lingonberry
Goldenrod
Lemon Balm
Sage
Elecampane
Clary Sage
Lady's Mantle
Sweet Woodruff

Already Here:
Asparagus
Strawberries
Catnip
Juniper
Goldenrod
Yarrow
Self-Heal
Wild Raspberry
Pine
Spruce
Roses
​Misc.

Already in Pots (but may start more):
Bay
Lemongrass

Helichrysum
Aloe
Rosemary
​Patchouli


Wish List:
Wild Yam
Chaste Tree
​
0 Comments

Glorious Acres.

8/6/2018

0 Comments

 
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If you follow me on facebook or instagram you likely already know the news. We are moving! We have been in this home for 3 years, but we have always had in the back of our mind that we would move again for the right property. Acres. With high speed internet. Rural, but accessible to the airport for my husband who travels on business. We have always felt uncomfortable with people right there when we are in the garden. We are lucky that we actually have great neighbors that we love to chat with, but it still feels like a fishbowl. 
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From February to June this year we had constant issues with my older son's health. The mast cells are wreaking havoc and his body is reacting and responding to everything. Over a few months he had a biopsy, 2 MRIs, a few scopes, a dozen blood draws, and an urgent care visit. We have some answers and we have been making changes via foods and herbs to support him ongoing -  but all of that pretty much reinforced the idea that we need a place where we can settle in for the long haul and where we can just work together as a family. A home that works for us now, and will work for us with adult child or children still living at home. We found one home that was amazing and after a hectic week we discovered the owner used an open house to push an existing accepted offer - and we just wasted time even trying. 

About a week after that we were in a small town 40 minutes east and I half heartedly mentioned a house I saw that was nearby - should we drive by? We drove past and immediately called the realtor for a showing the next day. We have been wary of homes that have been lived in since mu son and I react to everything people have used in the home - cleaners, detergents, plug-ins, air fresheners, you name it. But we were in the house for an hour without any reaction. It was spotless, well maintained (anal retentively, almost, which is good). The only house you can *see* when standing anywhere on the property is almost a mile away (there are closer neighbors, but there is a large wooded area of pines, so we cannot see them). Glorious. We put in an offer before we had even listed our house and it was accepted. 

We had a frantic week of packing half of everything we own to stage the house for the realty photographer and an open house. The house was listed on that Thursday and on Sunday the open house happened. On Wednesday we had an offer and our house was sold (we have amazing realtor team too). I am not much of a woo person, but I have always felt if something is too hard it wasn't meant to happen. This came together perfectly because it is what we need at this time. 
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We had high speed internet tested  - and it is indeed high speed. The well was tested and it is deep and clean. We had the house inspected and it is not only beautiful, but in great condition. While I can't wait to update the kitchen cabinets and light fixtures throughout the house (a little country for me), it has real wood floors, floor to ceiling windows in the living room with views for miles (literally). It also has a full lower level that can be used as classroom (!!) and business space now and will be a perfect an A apartment if he needs it in the future. 

We only have a month to now pack and move. A month or so is plenty of time to make big plans. We want chickens. Greenhouses. Extensive medicinal herb gardens and integrated layered permaculture systems throughout. There is a forest side - perfect for medicinal woodland plants, and plenty of flat space for serious expansion of growing. The property also already has fruit trees, restored grasses and prairie areas, and it is on a road with only 3 other homes, next door to horses. It is also zoned rural so no HOA. Plenty of room to grow food and herbs and have fresh air and sunshine. 
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Being in this home for a few years has been a good step for us, but we are ready to make the move to better match our lifestyle and to make a better day to day for all of us. We have been waiting and working for many years wanting big open skies, huge views, green rolling hills, and land of our own. It is time.

​
0 Comments
    whollyrooted.com

    denise cusack

    I am a certified aromatherapist, clinical herbalist, permaculture designer,  organic gardener, plant conservationist, photographer, writer, designer, artist, nature lover,  health justice activist, whole foods maker, and mother of two young adults  in south central Wisconsin. 

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