(01-28-2011, 05:04 AM)Bring4th_Monica Wrote: Moving isn't feasible for us, so we are bringing the food to us. We have a verrrrrrrrrrrry tiny yard. At first, I thought we had room for only about 5 fruit trees, max. So we planted them. But then I learned about permaculture. Did you know that if people became vegetarians, and planted food crops instead of green lawns, the planet could sustain 100 times more people? (maybe more)
So, following principles of permaculture, I have just realized I can fit a LOT more fruit trees on our tiny property!
I have a bunch of young fruit trees, and last spring, I discovered a plant of rocket (one of the brassicas, or mustards) growing vigorously under one of my pears. Instead of weeding it out, I just let it grow, and then began harvesting it periodically for use in green smoothies. Whenever I mowed the yard, I'd be careful to mow around the delicious "weed".
So, there's an idea for you. Clean-cultivate around the base of your tree out to the drip line (which you should be doing anyway, is it kills the overwintering larvae of codling moths and oriental fruit moths), and, when you have worked the soil up enough to make a fine seed bed, sprinkle a little rocket seed on the soil . The seed is very fine and doesn't need to be buried. Try to do this as early in the spring as the soil can be worked, as rocket likes cool temperatures for germination. It's a very thrifty plant and doesn't usually require fertilization, although it will respond to it. As a bonus, if you let it reseed, you will have it forever (it is, after all, a weed). It's useful both raw and cooked; I prefer raw, pureed into a smoothie, as this makes maximum use of its vitamins and other beneficial compounds, especially phenolic and polyphenolic antioxidants....of which this underappreciated plant is one of nature's best sources.
You can get seed for rocket from the Territorial seed company, and many other nurseries which specialize in heirloom seeds. It's a great permaculture option.
Green smoothie recipe:
1 blender full of rocket or similar brassica (it takes a lot; cram it down in there)
10-12 ounces of grapefruit or pineapple juice
2 bananas
Put the greens and juice into the blender, cover, and puree on "liquefy" for about 30 seconds. Stop, remove the cover, and add the peeled bananas. Replace the cover and puree for another 90 seconds to two minutes, until all ingredients are finely pureed. Makes about 40 ounces of smoothie.
This works not only for rocket, but also for Mizpoona, Kyoto Mizuna, Tah Tsai, Kale, and other leafy tender brassicas.
Time to go make mine!
Oh, and here's another idea. If there are no local ordinances against it where you live, consider keeping some chickens, and letting them run under your trees. They love to pounce on insects, and do a good job of keeping plum curculios and other fruit pests under control (note that they will eat all the rocket, too, so that's an either-or situation).
(01-27-2011, 10:48 PM)Fallen Destiny Wrote: YOU SIR, are pretty awesome.
We moved into a new house a couple of years ago, and there is a little-leaf linden (Tilia cordata) in the front yard. I'd read somewhere that the leaves of this species are edible in the Spring when they are young and tender, so last Spring, I tried some. They are not only edible, they are delicious!
My neighbors must have thought I was crazy, standing out in the yard, eating leaves off the tree like some goat.....
