Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Planting among the Invasives...

In my earlier post, I mentioned that our back lot is filled with a "Bastard Cabbage" and we threw seedballs in there. Here are some photos... but first, the soil differences between bare dirt and the areas where the invasives are growing.



Species like this are usually annuals, (they grow, drop seed and die, and the following year it happens again but usually in larger numbers), and they are happiest in eroded, abused soils. They are the frontrunners to getting things growing where nothing grows, and when left to Nature, they will usually die off as other species begin to take to the soil they have fed. This is important stuff to know, using weed killers is the worst thing one can do. Invasives don't last forever, Nature knows how to handle them. What I'm doing is using Her plan to move the succession forward a bit more quickly.

Seed path in Bastard Cabbage.
Seedball seedlings.
I hacked a number areas between the plants in order to begin seeding all sorts of new flowers, see left. The soil is soft and easy to dig. We threw seedballs into these rows, to the right is a sprouting seedball.

I also seeded some vegetables and legumes. Hiding them within the Bastard Cabbage might 1) keep them safe from rabbits and moles that run all over our property, and 2) the shade of the tall plants may be able to let them grow under the hot Sun that is beginning to truly show itself in our desert climate.

Seeds planted and the area tagged.

Vegetable seeds planted within the tall plants.

I'm very fascinated as to what will happen! There is a rule of Redundancy in Permaculture. Plant much more than you need as it's better to have too much food and you can share. So far I've planted about 6 zucchinis, and if even one or two make it, that will be wonderful! Below are some new seedlings sprouting among the invasives.


Fingers crossed!

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