1.8 Acres in Maryland: The beginning (Jan 2017)
(written by The Biologist and originally posted at www.permies.com)
The beginning
Back in January 2016, we moved into a basement apartment on 1.8 acres in Maryland. While we can't do much with the front, and livestock other than bees are out, we can do more or less what we want with back - probably a bit over an acre to play with. While I don't know that we will be here permanently, it is a great place to learn! Here is a map of the site. I am way behind with keeping track of the changes, but here is a winter picture of the garden area as well.
Starting assets:
1) lots of bamboo, running type, with edible shoots. Useful, though hard to control, and possibly stunting garden growth.
2) Trees. Most of the property is wooded with good size holly and various deciduous trees. The garden is in its current location because it is one of the few sunny areas we have to work with.
3) a thriving thornless blackberry patch.
4) several healthy grapes trained along the fences.
5) a small fig tree, healthy but not in an ideal location.
6) rampant wisteria, taking over any space with even a small amount of sun.
7) lots of engilsh ivy (though I don't know how useful it is)
Starting problems:
1) lots of dear, mowing down daylillies, hostas, and probably anything we plant. They don't touch the bamboo.
2) lots of rabbits, ditto. There have been fox and coyote sightings, I don't know what they are doing with their time.
3) very high tick load, with a risk of lyme disease.
4) Lots of poison ivy.
5) Trees. Although I do consider large trees an asset, from a vegetable growing perspective, they do present a challenge. I have yet to see a convincing plan for a high calorie permaculture system in temperate, dense shade.
The "before" pictures!
