This is the booty:
You're probably wondering where in the hell I think I have room for all of these trees, bushes, and vines. It's a little thing called espalier, baby. That's right folks, I'm using the ancient European art of growing trees flat against a wall in order to maximize production and space. It was all the rage in the Middle Ages. I predict it will be the hottest new trend in gardening with this back to the land/urban farming movement. Right up there with the chicken.
Speaking of space, the goats are a touch bummed now that they've gotten the kibosh on free roaming throughout the yard during the day (they are in their pen at night). At first, I thought I could just block them from the baby trees with some bamboo trellises and deer netting, but those little buggers proved to be too determined for a taste of fresh buds to let mere plastic and a twig stronger than steel stand in their way. After several rousing games of "chase the goat" (damn, can those girls run fast!), in which I was repeatedly mocked by Ethel who would race over the blueberry barrels and grab a couple bites of leaves every time she passed, I decided to stockade them in a one-hour-to-build-it corral in my neighbor's backyard (more on my yard grabbing/theft to come in a future post). They have , of course, broken out twice, since the fencing is a bit dodgy and weak. But I think I've got it well jerry-rigged for the time being. Gotta keep one step ahead of those guys, otherwise I'll be shopping for fruit trees again next year.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you at 18Reasons Tuesday, Heidi. (I was the woman with the camcorder.) Glad to have discovered your blog; I'll keep it on my radar, and not just because I'm a Heidi too. I hope you keep us posted on the espalier experiment. I'm intrigued about how much work that takes compared to the traditional (?) method. We have a good stretch of land here in Corte Madera, but lots of oaks so getting enough sun on our crops is an issue. Blueberry trees????? Heidi Fuller
ReplyDelete