The Ruiz Household, located in north Urbana, has a wonderful south-facing slope and was mainly a lawn when before Permaculture gardening started in 2003.
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View the map of the site B.P. (Before Permaculture), circa 2002. |
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The 2003 planting: In the backyard we planted butternuts, heartnuts, and carpatian walnut onthe southeast where there was already a neighboring presence of Black Walnut(Juglans nigra) which produces a toxic element known as Juglone. Therefore,we used a pattern which works in the presence of walnut family plants: amulberry and locust barrier. West of the grafted mulberry and Black Locusts,we planted pawpaws, a pear, brambles and grapes. On the west side of the house we were aiming for a mock-fence or hedge pattern: grape trellis, rugosa rose, and two serviceberries. In the front we planted an Beauty Plum, a pair of apples (Jonafree and Redfree), three Manchurian Apricots, and a peach. The Plum on the side of thedriveway was surrounded by Red Gooseberries. |
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In 2004 we added two asian pear to the now crowded back yard, as well assome arapaho blackberries, and a small patch of strawberries. To the east ofthe driveway we added a shiro plum for pollenation of the beauty plum planedin 2003, and a couple of currants were added from divisions in town. |
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The beauty plum produced beautiful flowers in 2004! |
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View the map of the site in 2005. This was the first year the site yielded asian pears, apples, and grapes. There were enough peaches to ferment a batch of melomel. Strawberries and raspberries too. |