Blog
November 6, 2024 To say “deciduous plant” implies seasonal leaf senescence (leaf shedding), a process that helps the plant optimize photosynthesis and nutrient efficiency. Senescence is a good survival strategy for plants in that the abundant nutrients within the leaves are not lost, they are transferred to shoots and roots, readying the plant to spring […]
CIDER FEST – Celebrate the Harvest Season
October 15, 2014 We accomplished so much but let’s focus on the harvest! Apples, pears, honeyberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries took center stage. By the end of April all fruit trees, but for the William’s Pride, had flowered nicely. The Willam’s Pride was the only tree to offer fruit last year and it has slight […]
Space To GROW
September 17, 2014 We have plenty of space to grow more plants in the orchard! We could spend a lot of money purchasing all the berry bushes and companion plants we need to fill the tree guilds and planting beds. Instead, we are propagating our own plants, mostly from cuttings and division. New plants, new […]
The Next Generation of Gardeners
August 12, 2014 Once a week, about 22 kids march down NE 60th to help out at the orchard. They are second and third-graders from Kids Co. at McDonald Elementary. Vanessa is one of five adults accompanying them and these counselors control the swarm with impressive skills. “Clap once if you can hear me!” Vanessa […]
An extra minute can mean a lot
July 3, 2014 Many thanks to Greg Meyer who spotted a shed for sale (see photo). Greg took an extra minute to write down the pertinent details and forward them to us. When the owner, Andy Farr, found out that it was for a community orchard, he donated the shed! With the generous services and […]
Persistence Pays
May 16, 2014 The photo shows new sprouting on this oak log that was cut last fall. It was a reject from the mushroom inoculation event because it was too small. It’s still alive! That’s persistent. Scientists please add to the conversation, but one explanation is that the cut wood forms a new meristem, which […]
The Bees Begin
April 2, 2014 Draping over the corner of the orchard is a giant weeping willow. It was in full bloom during the March 16 work party, with innumerable sparkling yellow catkins. The willow is an important source of pollen for bees because it blooms early in the year. The Temperate Climate Permaculture website has all […]
Fruit Tree Pruning – Short-term Losses for Long-term Gains
Februrary, 26, 2014 On the cool Saturday morning of February 15, nine of us huddled around the multi-varietal pear tree. We listened closely, moving from tree to tree, absorbing as much information as we could during the comprehensive pruning class taught by Ingela Wanerstrand. Since the fruit trees are just coming into their fourth year, […]
2014 – A Pivotal Year For The Orchard
02/07/2014 We are off to a good start, already we have one well attended and extremely productive work party under our belt (see photo). The City of Seattle funded community design process is behind us. We can now focus on implementing the resulting final design (see Library page) that the neighbors are excited about. This […]
The Orchard Year In Review
December 27, 2013 Congratulations to all of you for pulling off some terrific accomplishments this year. We hosted three parties, with more than 100 people attending each, showcased our trees during a pruning education class, and we are nearly complete with our City funded Community Orchard Design Process. Hats off to those of you who […]
I Have My Mushroom Log. Now What?
November 19, 2013 I am walking the neighborhood today, prying off flyers from telephone poles, recalling Sunday’s crazed mushroom event at the orchard. There was generosity. Mark came and inoculated two logs that were each about six inches long! Might not work. Then he way overpaid, but refused the change. Thank you, Mark. There was […]