Pictures say it all. There is a good chance this will be the most productive honey harvest we have ever had.
Bees love comfrey flowers
Bee on a comfrey flower
Bee hives in the back field
Bees at the hive entrance
Bee on clover flower
Bee in mid air
Bee going after the clover pollen
Bee on a clover flower
Bee on clover
Planting Mulberry Trees and More Raspberries
We were gifted mulberry trees propogated from a local tree, so in the ground they went. The raspberries are sending up shoots to we dug some of them and planted them in between stands of comfrey.
Elephant ears in the back field, where they should not do well, but they are
Gold raspberry
Gold raspberries – unique taste
Gold raspberry plants are exploding in size – thanks Rabbit Ridge for the wonderful plants
Lots of baby figs
Baby figs
Load of mulch to go around the raspberries we were about to plant
Mulberry tree ready to grow, opps I forgot to add the tree tube
Join Us and Tour Our Farm on June 21st, Once a Year Event
Sharing the story behind an adventure is a great way to share the experience and learnings. Starting the farm has definitely been an adventure. Let us take a hour or two and talk about what we’ve learned and experienced along the way. Much of what we’ve done on the farm can be applied applied in your garden or front yard. Maybe you want to have a few fruit trees. We’ll share how to get started in a practical way.
Every year we do a farm tour day. This is a great chance to meet the farmers and see the farm. in progress. We do tours once per year.
Tickets
Tickets for tours are available at 10AM and 1:00PM. The version of the tour for people wanting to start a homestead is at 3PM.
– detailed tour (family friendly) – 1/2 lb of honey from our remote mountain location of Troublesome Gap, NC
What to Bring
Just bring yourself and your family and comfortable shoes. We plan to walk on grassy fields and uneven ground.
We are Dirt Farmers and Pesticide / Insecticide Free
If we grow good dirt, then plants will grow and produce abundantly. We use a minimum of organic fertlizers. We avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers. We also don’t use any pesticides or insecticides. We do use natural amendments like woodchips, hay (pesticide / herbicide free) and feather meal.
Diversity of Plants and Trees on the Farm
Let us introduce you to some of the variety of plants, bushes and trees on the farm including
Sometimes the farmer fails. I put off adding new smelly stuff stuff to the scent caps on the anti-deer fence and the deer made it into the protected area. The scent caps encourage the deer to sniff the scent cap which is energized. When they smell the cap, they get a mild shock and it scares them and keeps them away from the anti-deer fence. The deer herd is watching and when one the herd gets shocked it discourages them from trying to get in the fenced in area. Changing scents every 90 days retrains the herd. Without that retraining they lose their fear of the anti-deer fence and get inside the protected area.
The deer really liked the tender leaves on the young peach trees. Without the leaves, the trees can’t support the peaches that were growing on the trees so I removed the immature peaches and buried them in the compost pile.
Join Us and Tour the Farm on Saturday, June 21st
Every year we do a farm tour day. This is a great chance to meet the farmers and see the farm. We’ll show you our work in progress and talk about how we do regenerative farming.
Tickets
Tickets for tours are available at 10AM and 1:00PM. The version of the tour for people wanting to start a homestead is at 3PM.
– detailed tour (family friendly) – 1/2 lb of honey from our remote mountain location of Troublesome Gap, NC
What to Bring
Just bring yourself and your family and comfortable shoes. We plan to walk on grassy fields and uneven ground.
We are Dirt Farmers and Pesticide / Insecticide Free
If we grow good dirt, then plants will grow and produce abundantly. We use a minimum of organic fertlizers. We avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers. We also don’t use any pesticides or insecticides. We do use natural amendments like woodchips, hay (pesticide / herbicide free) and feather meal.
Diversity of Plants and Trees on the Farm
Let us introduce you to some of the variety of plants, bushes and trees on the farm including
Sharing the story behind an adventure is a great way to share the experience and learnings. Starting the farm has definitely been an adventure. Let us take a hour or two and talk about what we’ve learned and experienced along the way. Much of what we’ve done on the farm can be applied applied in your garden or front yard. Maybe you want to have a few fruit trees. We’ll share how to get started in a practical way.
Every year we do a farm tour day. This is a great chance to meet the farmers and see the farm. in progress. We do tours once per year.
Tickets
Tickets for tours are available at 10AM and 1:00PM. The version of the tour for people wanting to start a homestead is at 3PM.
– detailed tour (family friendly) – 1/2 lb of honey from our remote mountain location of Troublesome Gap, NC
What to Bring
Just bring yourself and your family and comfortable shoes. We plan to walk on grassy fields and uneven ground.
We are Dirt Farmers and Pesticide / Insecticide Free
If we grow good dirt, then plants will grow and produce abundantly. We use a minimum of organic fertlizers. We avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers. We also don’t use any pesticides or insecticides. We do use natural amendments like woodchips, hay (pesticide / herbicide free) and feather meal.
Diversity of Plants and Trees on the Farm
Let us introduce you to some of the variety of plants, bushes and trees on the farm including
Engineers who develop new products often use a term called “fail fast”. The idea behind failing fast is that you develop a plan, build a prototype, and then test the prototype. Instead of trying to build the perfect product you build a prototype with the knowledge that you have available now. This approach especially works when the cost of building a prototype is fairly low and the cost of waiting to build a prototype is fairly high. Farming is a situation where the cost of a small scale test is fairly low but the cost of waiting is high (because of seasons and when you can plant different crops, trees and bushes).
One of the examples of our “fail fast” mentality on the farm is our approach to planting trees. Depending on the species, it can take 3-10 years to get a harvest from a tree that you plant. It only takes a few minutes to remove a tree if it is the wrong tree in the wrong place, but it takes years for it to grow. The cost of planting a tree is usually fairly low in labor, materials and the cost of the tree itself.
We have some very different situations on the farm when it comes to
soil
water
sun
wind
size of the area which determines the cost and effort of installing an anti-deer fence
The same trees, bushes and plants will thrive in one area but struggle in another. There is a value in learning your land. Things like how wet the soil consistently stays or how microclimates impact different plants.
4 Main Areas on the Farm
Aerial view of the farm including the Food Forest, Cushaw Patch and Field #2
Aerial view of the back field
We break down the 4 areas on the farm into
food forest
cushaw patch
field number #2
back field
The conditions in these fields are very different when it comes to soils, health of the soil, sun, water retention, etc. The back field has been the most challenging area for several reasons.
the soil is depleted from decades of growing and cutting hay from the field (approximately 50 years) without much effort to improve the soil
the low amount of organic matter (which determines how well the soil retains moisture) in the soil means that the conditions swing wildly back and forth between dry and standing water
full sun and it can be windy
lack of a thick layer of top soil means roots have to work hard to penetrate the hard soil
This means that some species of trees and bushes will thrive in the harsh conditions and some really struggle. Usually the conditions that different plants need is well known and best heeded when selecting and preparing sites.
The Approach
Adding mulch to fig tress in the back field
Generally we plant comfrey with any new tree plantings. We keep going back and forth on whether or not we want to put an anti deer fence around the entire back field or just part of it. The advantage of fencing in the entire back field is that we can plant companion plants (like comfrey). The downside is that we have to install the fence (time, money and effort) and maintain it (which is the much higher cost over time). Mowing around the fence and weed eating around fence post takes a surprising amount of time and effort.
While we were deciding about the fence, we put anti-deer tree cages around bushes bushes and trees that we planted in the back field. This accomplished several things
allowed us to provceed with test plantings of several different types of trees and bushes (native and non-native)
allowed us to plant comfrey around those trees and bushes (deer like usually like comfrey)
Considerations
We are working to establish a small grove of black walnut trees in the back field. Black walnut trees are native to NC and release chemcials at their roots that inhibit other plants from growing around them. We don’t know if comfrey will thrive at the base of a black walut tree. Once a black walnut tree gets beyond the seedling size, deer usually don’t browse on them. As the tree gets to sapling size deer may rub their antlers against the tree which can damage or even kill the tree. Older trees have tougher bark and less susceptible to damage by deer
We need to keep grass from growing in close proximity to the young trees (especially seedlings). Curretly we use wood chips around the base of the tree. If I have my act together that day. I put down cardboard first then wood chips. The cardboard is a biodegradeable weed barrier. The wood chips also help maintain a more consistent moisture level at the tree roots and eventually compost and add to the organic matter and nutrient levels in the soild.
Time to Pivot
We probably do not need an anti-deer fence around area with the walnut trees, especially if we can protect the tree from the weedeater and deer antlers (later as the tree reaches sapling size). Converting from tree cages to tree tubes shown below would make it much easier to trim around the trees.
Tree tube with stake and black walnut tree
So I’ve started converting the tree caged black walnut plantings to using a tree tubes. This will make it easier to mow around them and maintain them. We also plan to add wood chips around the trees as mulch with cardboard under the wood chips as a biodegradeable weed barrier. I’ve seen vidoes from other farms that have taken a similar approach. Since these are native trees, they should do well. Now time will tell.
Lessons from the Farm
Even on a small farm like ours the variety of situations, plants, and labor requirements prevents us from using a one size fits all approach. Our approach to finding solutions follows this path
develop preconceptions – example: how we think a plant might to in an area if planted in a certain way
build a prototype – plant a bush or tree in test location with a specific method – example: plant a tree and put it in an anti-deer cage or in a tree tube with wood chips around it
test the preconceptions by observing how the planting performs over a season
evaluate the results
I’ve said many times that “I can’t impose my will on the farm”. Following a design thinking approach where we dream, prototype, test, pivot helps us innovate and have happy, healthy plants that produce lots of fruits, berries and nuts.
We are happy to see the elderberries starting to flower. As you are driving across eastern NC and you see a clump of white flowers this year, it might be elderberry. They are super common in NC.
I enjoy growing and harvesting elderberries. They make such a distinctive syrup and jelly. This year we have started harvesting a limited number of elderflowers. The picture you see below shows the elderflowers that we freezed dried for use in salve and infused honey.
Right now I’m infusing coconut oil with comfrey, elderflower and beewax to make a salve. This is my first time making a comfrey salve. It will be interesting how the salve turns out.
Elderberries in bloom, these were the first to bloom
Elderberries in bloom, these were the first to bloom
Elderberries in bloom, these were the first to bloom
Elderberries in bloom, these were the first to bloom
Elderberries in bloom, these were the first to bloom
Elderflowers to freeze dry
Sometimes I worry that pictures will get repetitive when I show similar scenes. The trees, bushes, fruit and berries are definitely growing and hopefully that comes through in the pictures. Some of the flower blooms are amazing right now.
Beautiful blooms
Beautiful blooms
Beautiful blooms
Beautiful blooms
Beautiful blooms
Peaches!
Grow peach grow
Peaches keep getting bigger
Goumi berries are doing well
Garlic is getting closer to ready
Nectarines are growing
Nectarines are getting bigger
More mulberries
Mulberries are coming
Medlar in the back field is doing well
American beautyberry seedlings are finally growing
Jujube trees keep growing
Black walnut treees are growing quickly
That hollow tree from farther away
Crazy section of hollow tree
View of the orchard in field number 2 from the creek
As the springs days progress, the trees and bushes are growing like crazy. I keep thinking I shouldn’t show similar pictures, but I realized those pictures show the progression of the fruit and berries growing and ripening
Activities included weedeating around the honey locust saplings and the trees in the back field. Also adding mulch to trees on the farm. We added a trickle charger to the golf cart. That wil make keeping it charged so much easier.
It is nice seeing our first Medlar tree blooms. It would be nice to have a few medlar fruit to try this fall.
The mulberry trees have sooooo many fruit on them. It will be nice to enjoy the mulberries.
This year we plan to harvest a few of the elderberries and freeze dry them. I’ve ordered an infuser from Levo so we can make elderflower infused honey. Using an infuser will also be a great way to make comfrey salve.
Getting young fig tree ready for summer with mulch and a protective barrier against rabbits
Medlar tree flower
Quice tree with comfrey
Quince tree
Maybe we’ll have a few medlar fruit this year
Just a nice view
Adding mulch to fig tress in the back field
Clearing the grass away from a honey locust seedling in the back field
Black walnut tree in the back field
Happy little peach tree
Peaches growing
Lots of peaches
Even more peaches
Peaches
Orchard growing
Pawpaw are finally growing quickly, they take so long to get going
Guiding the shape of the trees is important from the very beginning. The best fruit trees that have branches that are robust and don’t shade other parts of the tree. A properly managed tree produces lots of high quality fruit. Getting a tree limb to follow the desired shape may require gentle pressure or pulling the limbs in the desired direction when they are younger and more flexible.
Helping create a shape that is sustainable and healthy for the tree
Biodegradeable stick (ha ha) used to help spread out the branches of the young tree for a better shape
We recently received a quantity of 10 of english walnut seedlings. They went into pots where they can grow this summer and get ready for planting in the fall
English walnut seedlings in pots ready to grow this summer
Cannas and comfrey growing near the tractor shed. I’m really surprised the deer haven’t eaten the comfrey since this area isn’t protected by an anti-deer fence
The berries are growing. There is no doubt about that. This year we have even more varieties of berries growing.
Aronia berries (chokeberry) have even more anti oxidents than blueberries especially the black chokeberries. We have our first aronia berries on the farm and they are growing nicely. Can’t wait to try some later in the summer.
Black Chokeberries (aronia) forming
Our blueberries are still young but they are growing quickly. Hopefully we’ll have enough to enjoy and share
Young blueberries up close
Blueberries making blueberries
Blueberry bush growing quickly
Nice to see the blueberries growing
The raspberry bushes have really surpised us with how quickly they are growing.
Gold raspberry bloom
Rasberries growing quickly
Raspberry blooms
The blackberries are loving the warm weather and really growing quickly. We have reduced the amount of blackberries on the farm due to how often they need to be picked. It is so nice to have off-the-vine blackberries when we are working on the farm in the summer, so we have kept a few bushes.
Blackberries blooms on their way to becoming blackberries
Blackberry blooms
Nice to see the blackberries growing
Blackberries in the food forest
It is amazing how quickly the blackberries grow
The mulberry trees are really getting tall. It is nice seeing young berries on them. Mulberries are very different than all other berries in how they taste, how we pick them and how the berries form on the limb of the trees
This is a busy time of year on the farm. One of the tasks is getting the blueberries ready for summer. We use pine straw as a mulch. Using pine straw as a mulch is a good example of function stacking. The pine straw helps to lower the soil ph (blueberries like low ph soil), regulate moisture in the soil, supresses the growth of weeds and amends the soil as it breaks down adding nutrients and organic matter. The pine straw settles during the next few months, so we pile it deep.
Pine straw getting ready to go into the blueberry area / hugelkultur mound
Pine straw ready to go around the blueberries on the HugelKultur mound
Blueberries with pinestraw around them on the Hugelkultur mound
Gold raspberries with pine straw around them
Pine straw wrapping around the gold raspberry trellis on the HugelKultur mound
The iris, comfrey, clover and wildflowers are blooming. This year we created a natural area. This was a previously cultivated area that is now fallow. The wildflowers that came up are great.
Wildflowers
More wildflowers and clover in the natural area
Wildflowers and clover in the natural area – worked out nicely
Wildflowers and clover in the natural area
The amazing iris
Iris petals
Another iris opened this morning
Iris blooming,what a joy
Comfrey blooms
Iris blooming!
Comfrey blooming
The last couple of days have been spent mowing grass (grows amazingly quick this time of year), trimming under fences and around plants. We’ve also been watering new plantings and fertilizing. Sometimes new trees and plants don’t thrive but that is vastly offset by the wonderful growth on the farm right now.
Fruit trees and garlic growing
Fruit trees, garlic and elderberries (background) are growing
Food forest is coming alive for spring
Garlic to be proud of
Wild flowers among the mulberry, hazelnut and pawpaw trees
Peaches – we are looking forward to eating them
Karla Rose nectarines are growing quickly
Redhaven peaches are growing, looking forward to eating them
My wife and I love spending time outdoors. Having a farm and garden is a great way to do that. It also means we have more nutritious foods. Many of the people we have met on this journey like similar things and that makes it even better. I’m a mechanical engineer turned weekend farmer, so I’m just smart enough to know that there is a lot that I don’t know especially when it comes to farming, permaculture and food forests. Come on the learning journey with us!
We would love to share what we are learning so that you can grow at least part of your own food. It is within your grasp to grow part of the food that you eat. You can improve your food security and enjoy higher quality food in the process.
We also have limited opportunities for you to camp out on our farm, enjoying the serious peace and quiet. Sometimes we hold classes, usually on Food Preservation. Join us for those too.
Meet the Farmers
I’m a mechanical engineer turned weekend farmer, so I’m just smart enough to know that there is a lot that I don’t know especially when it comes to farming, permaculture and food forests. I’ve been heavily influenced in my love of farming and permaculture by my Mom and Dad and also by people like Jack Spirko (TSP) and Dan (Plant Abundance)
Connie has her certificate in Sustainable Agriculture from CCCC. She really enjoyed the classes at the community college and learned a lot. The program was a mixture of classes and work on the school farm. What she learned has really added to our technical proficiency on the farm.