Blog
April 29, 2025 A friend said to me, “I am not doing anything for the resistance.” But, when I think of what they spend time and energy on, I think they are! After all, these days it doesn’t take much to be rebellious. What plant-based activities might demonstrate resistance? Which ones might be interpreted as […]
Saturday, Sept 28 – Architectural/Permaculture Hoedown
September 25, 2013 All are encouraged to come and help review three designs from our architecture/permaculture team. The designs are based on input from the community, WSDOT and SDOT. See insert. Sat Sept 28, 10-noon, Public Design Review Lunch will be served. Rain, no shine Door Prizes, Hot Coffee Sun Oct 13, 2-4 Work Party. […]
We Are Not Alone
September 5, 2013 We have a cousin in the York Neighborhood of Bellingham. Mary Loquvam and Byron Bagwell are the instigators of York Farm and this year they are harvesting storage vegetables: potatoes, beans and winter squash. The farm has taken the place of a fallow piece of land along the Washington State Department of […]
“It Feels Like No One Is Telling You What To Do”
August 21, 2013 A resident from Willis House (nearby senior housing) walked into the orchard Saturday. She strolled slowly and deliberately, gazing ahead, then to one side, then the other. She told me she had Sunday music commitments and would not be able to attend the Sunday design input meeting. I took the opportunity to […]
Have Some Pride!
August 9, 2013 Here she is, our first apple. Gorgeous. Our two-year old Williams’ Pride produced 14 apples. This apple is highly thought of for good flavor – especially for an early ripening apple – and its ability to remain crisp and delicious for at least six weeks after harvest. William’s Pride was developed by […]
Mounds of Kiwis
July 26, 2013 After tossing around ideas about a variety of perma-agriculture methods for several weeks, on the 16th of July Ruth and Aaron strategically built a hugelkultur mound under the arbor to host some incoming kiwi plants from Kiwi Bob. Hugelkultur (German – lit. Mound Culture) is a method of soil amendment that removes […]
Day of Dragonflies
July 7, 2013 Today, I was thigh deep in Green Lake, helping Friends of Green Lake (FOGL) haul Eurasian Watermilfoil out of the water. (Eurasian milfoil is an invasive non-native plant.) Dragonflies were everywhere and some were quite large, though not as big as this one pictured here from Butchart Gardens. (Possible sound wall art?) […]
The Best Sheet Mulching Conditions are Upon Us
June 28, 2013 The grass is short and the ground is moist – perfect conditions for sheet mulching. Now is a window of opportunity to smother more grass at the Orchard. Come anytime from 2:00 – 4:00 PM, this Sunday, June 30. There will be light tasks and heavier tasks. Materials and tools will be […]
Heed the Mayor’s Advice – Call 911
June 14, 2013 The conveniences that make our neighborhood desirable also make it vulnerable: easy freeway access, many buses and the ability to walk to most everything you need. A package was recently stolen off a neighbor’s porch. We had a similar experience and now have a sign on our door: Do Not Leave Packages […]
State of the Orchard Address
June 6, 2013 We had .4 inches of rain last week. We are now watering trees and shrubs. (Water courtesy of Mylinda.) Anyone can take a turn at watering. Let us know if you are interested. The City is behind in mowing. They promise to mow the south half of the orchard very soon. (We […]
Our First Financial Contribution is Anonymous
May 27, 2013 Friday night, May 17, there was a party at the Orchard. We noticed the evidence the next day: a branch was torn off the Early Fuji, there were strewn beer bottles and cans, and a small fire was started (luckily, in the wet grass). Also at the scene, there was also a […]