We were running out of time in 2021 to get gardens going with all the infrastructure needed. At Jen’s insistence, she planted the orchard in an attempt to get the apple and peach trees growing first. Next we cleared and scraped and added mushroom compost for the blueberry rows. With no other planning or implementation, it was a desperate attempt to get these plants established. The blueberries did a fantastic job feeding the chickens the first summer and during our family beach vacation, the deer decimated our apple trees. Lesson learned: The gardens are to be fenced off and the orchard surrounded until they can be firmly rooted. Billy’s promise to Jen for 2022: The gardens infrastructure will be done and fenced!
Some good news: the bulk wildflower seeds thrown did prove to take root and provide us with some little joys through the summer and fall. The garden and meadow clover was lovely too and provided needed food for the bees.
