Being the end of October in Northern MN, our permaculture garden season is winding down.  So now we begin another phase.  We are reflecting on our progress and planning for the spring season.  The big update is that Kim and Monica have decided to be strippers.  Sod strippers that is.  We are going to rent a sod stripper as early as possible in the spring.  By using a sod stripper we will not have to use as much rock and the ground disruption will be reduced.  Overall it should save both time and money with a nicer result. The trail will be about 1/4 mile loop with the possibility of expansion.  Brad Scott has agreed to haul the rock for the trail base with the bobcat.  Seppi Bros Concrete has generously donated some of the rock.  Craig  has agreed to haul sod.  We could use 2-3 more people on that big work day which will be announced in April or May-hoping for April of course.  We also need some digging, mostly grass removal for a new planting area by the fence, which can be done anytime.  We will even provide a shovel,  just let us know you are willing and we will show you the area.

Also in this phase we will be deciding on plants and ordering as needed.  We also need to secure furniture before our grant expires.  The carpentry and welding programs have said they will get some students involved, and we can buy materials and they will do the labor.  That will be so cool to have benches, or maybe something else, made by our own Mesabi students.

It's still nice out, at least as I write this, so try to take a moment to enjoy outdoor Mesabi on the pad overlooking the pond.  If you would like to donate a tree, perennial, or "furniture",  you could even do it as a dedication or memorial, let Kim know by January so we can include it in our ordering plan.  Thanks again for your support.

Update, Meeting, Permaculture in Action #2

On September 3rd we planted trees and shrubs which is the beginning of a guild and a forest garden.  We also planted a few perennials in the raised beds, finished the spiral herb garden, and mulched some of the path.  We are almost done with what we are going to do this year except for any donated perennials that come forward.  We will move into another planning and plant ordering phase.  We will buy local as much as possible form vendors like Cherry Greenhouse and Seppi Bros. Concrete that support our project but there are some less common items that we will need to order. 

We will have a short meeting in C157 on Monday, Sept 15 to give an update, share the harvest and walk the trail.  We are hoping to move the meeting out to the garden so bring your walking shoes.  If you can't make the meeting but are interested send Kim an e-mail.  I sent out a list of topics to those who have expressed interest.

I have updated the blog and plan to add a few more permaculture in action posts in the coming weeks.  Each time I add one, I will also put it in the tab across the top so that they are all on one place.  Please check out the lists under the ways to get involved on the right hand side, the thank yous and dedications, both across the top and please add your e-mail at the bottom of the blog so that you get an automatic message when I post.

Permaculture In Action #2

Spiral Herb Garden

Permaculture principles say to put what you need to access, closest to you.  If our garden were at home, we would want to access our herbs often.  We can simulate that by having our spiral herb garden close to the entrance of our garden.  A spiral folds up the garden into a smaller space keeping the herbs yet closer.  In our garden instead of using 25  linear feet, we have a mound that is about 5 feet across and about three feet high. In addition, the spiral creates microclimates because it has slopes that face all directions.  The sunny south will be hotter than the north, the east side with morning sun will dry out faster than the west.  We can plant accordingly to take advantage of the miroclimates for each plant.  Examples would be plants that thrive in hot, dry climates like oregano, rosemary, and thyme would prefer the south side while parsley and chive may prefer the north side because they grow in cooler, moister conditions.  In nature spirals are a repeating pattern, often the result of growth or expansion.  My source for this information is Gaia's Garden by Toby Hemenway.  I recommend this book to anyone interested in permaculture.  The Mesabi library has the book.  I will return it next week so it will be available.

Planting trees

On Wednesday, September 3rd we are planning to plant trees.  We will need about 11 holes.  It is tough digging out there so if anyone can help dig it would be much appreciated.  It is rocky so each hole takes several attempts.  We have pears, plums, chokeberry, chokecherry, currant, Siberian pea shrubs, and a few perennials all purchased from Cherry Greenhouse. We also have a few donated transplants.  Notice the thank you heading on this blog.  I try to acknowledge people who have been helpful in moving this project forward.  Please let me know if I have accidentally missed you.  Also please subscribe to the blog so that you get automatic updates when I post. 

Aug 14 work day successful

August 14 was a good day because we got a lot done, but yet a little bit sad because we it was our last day working with "bobcat" Toby.  We placed the arbor, made some raised beds, sheet-mulched the area to be the first guild, and made a spiral herb garden.  You may notice areas with straw.  That is temporary.  Those areas will be paths covered with mulch but we needed a place holder for the sheet mulching and it was available.  We are working on getting a sustainable water source (like the pond or rainwater catchment with a pipe going to the area in need of water) to water the guilds.  Hopefully we get something figured out soon so that we can plant some tress before winter because fall and spring are the best times to plant trees.  If anyone has ideas or know-how to get a watering system please let us know.  I will post in permaculture in action about spiral herb gardens and guilds in the coming weeks.  Thanks to Toby one more time.  He says he will come back to help this fall if we organize a Saturday workday.  Any takers?

update

Our August 5 workday went well.  We didn't accomplish all of our goals but it was a lofty list.  We assembled and stained the arbor, completed the sitting pad, sheet mulched (see permaculture in action), planted some donated perennials and began path and trail construction.  We also have added a new element to our plan which is going to tie it all together-a walking trail.  So far we plan to put in about a quarter mile trail but as the project progresses over the years so will the trail we hope.  Stay tuned for the announcement of our next workday.  Thank you to those who helped and sent those positive energy vibes.  Our next job will include moving some sod so even 15 minutes helps. 

Progress

Ground has been broken.  "Bobcat Toby" previously know just as Toby, Monica, and students have been busy preparing our site.  On August 5th we hope to build our sitting pad, construct the arbor, and build our spiral herb garden.  We can use some help.  We know that many people can't join us until later in the day and that is just fine.  Bring some work clothes and join us when you can.  The work will involve carrying rocks, shoveling, hauling, running errands, digging etc.  Let us know if we can plan on your help to better plan our day, but we take all walk-ins for any amount of time.  If you have rocks to donate they can be placed inside the fence.  We will need them on Tuesday.  We can use as many as we can get.

Happy Summer

Happy Summer to all.  We have been making progress with our garden project.  We have a watering crew lined up for May to keep our plants alive until we can plant.  Someday soon the weather will cooperate.  We are working with IRE (Iron Range Engineering) on some pond and stream hopes and dreams.  We are also consulting with Boreal Natives which is a division of  Prairie Restorations to decide appropriate plantings around the pond.  The biggest news is that we will  be starting construction on a sitting area in June for relaxation and learning thanks to some funding through a Spring 2014 Innovative Grant from the Mesabi Range College Foundation.   This will be a work in progress for a long time. Suggestions, money, labor, and donations are always welcome. I will post work dates here through the summer.  I think you can subscribe to the blog so that you will get an e-mail when we post updates.

Thanks to all of who came to learn about our garden project.  We had students, staff, faculty, and community members in attendance.  What a great start!  Herbal tea and many good ideas were shared.  We discussed helping out with watering during the summer.  Now we are hoping to get some funding to begin making an outdoor learning area.  In the meantime plant donations are being accepted.  Please coordinate with me.  We have received several tree donations, soil, starter trays, and perennials.  Two elderberry trees were planted and many herb seeds have been started.  Being involved doesn't require a time commitment.  We just want positive energy to keep us moving forward.  Please bring large cardboard to C168.  Thanks for supporting our project.

Join us on Earth day (Tuesday, April 22 at 11:00 in C151) for a brief overview of our project.  We will talk about a forest garden, native species, pond rehab, an outdoor classroom, organic gardening, community connections, and other hopes and dreams. 

Permaculture

We are starting a "permaculture" project at the Virginia campus.  We are going to plant in a way that minimizes fertilizing, watering, and general maintenance while getting useable products like food.  The way to do this is to completely cover the ground with plants that work together.  I have developed a list of plants suitable for our area and the spacing they will require.  Each plant has to serve several functions.  At first it will not be a work of beauty but as the trees and shrubs mature it will be attractive. I am thinking of it as a way to bring something exciting to all aspects of Mesabi.  It will provide many learning opportunities, demonstrate sustainability practices, provide food awareness and be a nice place to take a break or eat lunch (during the few months without snow).  It has both short-term and long-term benefit and the community will be able to see our progress.