Fields

There are old outbuildings in our backyard.  Split rail fences surround what was once pasture. And rocks - piles of them. Proof that this land was worked many moons ago.

And yet by the time we purchased our homestead in 2014 this land that would have fed families once upon a time had fallen subject to the invasive whims of tree species like buckthorn. Biodiversity was all but eliminated.

Determined to reverse this trend, we began on the long yet hope-filled task of working our land - creating pockets of biodiversity that expand each season. Space is made for different native species to thrive and with each consecutive growing season we work to slow the spread of invasive interlopers. Plantings such as serviceberry, elderberry and high bush cranberry are tucked into the blank spaces creating habitat as well as eventual food sources.

With each passing year our gardens expand, and not in the traditional row upon row sense. Inspired in part by the principles of Hugelkultur,  raised garden beds take shape atop the marginal soil and bedrock. Orchard trees are planted into built up beds and then interplanted with herbs, perennials and shade loving greens. We experiment with some success balanced with equal amounts of failure - motivated to share our experiences with anyone who wishes to create a natural haven in their own outdoor space.