Join the Conversation

8 Comments

  1. We have this exact same problem, except our lot is much smaller. The trees greatly inhibit how much we can produce on our lot. We’ve resigned ourselves to the fact that there’s really nothing much we can do about it unless/until we move in a few years. So when you say “It’s time to rethink…” do you mean having to cut down trees or move? -Carrie

  2. My was-mowed-down-and-has-now-regrow-forest is also pretty shady.

    (Awesome job on the annotation, by the way! Give us property lines too, btw)

    I think one idea I’ve come across (from permaculture?) is a forest that’s perpetually kept from becoming completely mature. So it’s totally okay if you hack down the big trees (and then use them for furniture, heat, compost, w/e) and give yourself some more sun-lit area.

    Maybe Katrien’s “rethinking” is about using vertical spaces or roof spaces or shady spaces. Some plants actually *like* shade. My patch of forest has patches of ferns. Those green patches probably match up with the pattern of shade that falls on the forest floor and probably could sustain other plant life. Potatoes? I don’t know… but I’m about to find out!

  3. Hey Carrie and Alex,

    I didn’t mean to leave that hanging… I am wondering myself!

    I might cut down some trees, but I’ll also want to add more mushrooms and shade loving plants since I can’t very well mow down 3/4 acre of trees. We’d be set for life for wood heat, though…

    Alex, potatoes actually love full sun. I tried growing them in the sunniest patch of my veg garden and had pretty poor results.

  4. Wow, you have an aerial photo that shows your vegetable garden? The only ones of our place are way outdated! Actually it’s a great way to analyze the property potential. I do feel your dilemma. I love trees and would hate to cut any down, but on the other hand, I love sun loving veggies like potatoes and tomatoes. It will be interesting to see what you decide to do.

  5. My was-mowed-down-and-has-now-regrow-forest is also pretty shady. (Awesome job on the annotation, by the way! Give us property lines too, btw) I think one idea I’ve come across (from permaculture?) is a forest that’s perpetually kept from becoming completely mature. So it’s totally okay if you hack down the big trees (and then use them for furniture, heat, compost, w/e) and give yourself some more sun-lit area. Maybe Katrien’s “rethinking” is about using vertical spaces or roof spaces or shady spaces. Some plants actually *like* shade. My patch of forest has patches of ferns. Those green patches probably match up with the pattern of shade that falls on the forest floor and probably could sustain other plant life. Potatoes? I don’t know… but I’m about to find out!

  6. We have this exact same problem, except our lot is much smaller. The trees greatly inhibit how much we can produce on our lot. We’ve resigned ourselves to the fact that there’s really nothing much we can do about it unless/until we move in a few years. So when you say “It’s time to rethink…” do you mean having to cut down trees or move? -Carrie

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *