Gardener's Log 23S#05 - Forest Garden Patch N°2
Forest Garden Patch N°2 is also located on the west-facing side of the garden, receiving nearly full sunlight. Initially, when we purchased the house, I made the mistake of using chicken wire to create a temporary border. However, this decision proved problematic as weeds grew over the wires, causing significant trouble when it came to cleaning up the mess.
Eventually, we removed the wires and planted several Nashi trees. The revised idea was to create a "living fence" or an "edible border." The Nashi trees remained there for two more years while my focus shifted elsewhere.
Last summer, we added two apple trees and one volunteer Hazelnut. This spring, I transplanted two American persimmons, one Sichuan pepper, and one arrowwood 'Dawn.' Suddenly, the basic structure of a forest garden patch started to take shape. While working on Patch N°1, I also contemplated what should be transplanted to Patch N°2.
Nashi, Apple, Japanese Plum (Prunus mume) and Persimmon
Arrowwood, Silverberry
Sichuan pepper, Roses, Summer and Autumn Raspberry
Sedum, Aster, Dahlias, Shasta Daisy, Artichoke
Garlic, Potatoes
Strawberries, Pumpkins
Grapes
To fill in the gaps, I dug out herbs that were slowly developing in shady areas and relocated Clary Sage, Bee Balm, Basil, Parsley, and Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) to this patch. Additionally, some volunteer tomatoes, borages, and peony poppies were also uprooted and transplanted here.
Patch N°2 is more intriguing than Patch N°1 because I conducted a small experiment by directly sowing seeds about a month ago. Calendulas, Cosmos, Sunflowers, and Beetroots, emerged and rapidly grew into robust plants within a few weeks. Encouraged by this success, I repeated the process with ‘I-didn’t-know-what-are-included’ seeds.
Relocated Plants
The preparation of Patch N°2 is nearly complete now, and thanks to today's thunderstorm, a substantial amount of rain settled the mulch layer made from grass clippings quite nicely.
