Ripening in July, currant (Ribes) bushes give us fruits that hang down like little jewels in the hot summer sun. That has been said so many times, it’s a bit of a cliche, but these fruits are lovely to behold. Like their cousins, gooseberries (the genus Ribes), currants are native to Wisconsin woodlands, fence rows,
The first spring I spent in Madison, I was surprised and delighted by the gorgeous, magical trees with the lavender (Pink to reddish purple flowers) diaphanous blooms that resemble lace. Madison is loaded with these beautiful trees, which I learned were Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis L.). It is a native deciduous understory tree that often
On August 20, Emily Steinwehe and Madelon Wise from Wisconsin Food Forests went on a road trip to the Blanchardville area in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area to visit The Little Red Home(Stead). Emily had been on a bus tour with the Soil Sisters, an organization of women farmers in and around the farming communities of Monroe,
Honeyberries (Lancer caerulea L.) are a new fruit that plant breeders have been working on for around 13 years. Plants in this group are edible members of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). According to Uncommon Fruit, Observations from Carandale Farm, “Haskap is often used as a common name for honeyberry, but technically they represent two distinct subspecies.”
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis), a nod to beauty.
On June 8, 2019, Emily Steinwehe of Wisconsin Food Forests planted our Food Forest Basic Package at Sol Criations Farm Sanctuary, Endeavor, Wisconsin. Sol Criations offers sanctuary to farm animals and wildlife in a biodynamic space and peaceable kingdom. Brenda and Jon Vetter, guardians of the animals, are both World Peace Diet Facilitators. Teaching people
We love mulch, and when we install a food forest, we will bring in plenty of wood chips. However, once the planting is established, growing mulch under the tree eliminates trudging around with a compost-filled wheelbarrow, because the guild will build its own soil. Mulch makers include soft-leaved plants such as comfrey, artichokes, cardoon, rhubarb,
I don’t know about you, but I love spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils) that are planted in the fall. They are so reliable and cheerful and add color to a dreary spring landscape. But did you know that the shallow roots of bulbs keep grasses from moving into a food forest guild? Grasses, though planted deliberately
On this Earth Day, we think about other species. We all know that honeybees, such as the one feasting on this borage flower, are declining and that their pollination efforts are crucial to the success of the food we eat. We love to attract birds and insects to our edible landscaping, too. The tempting blossoms