Creating our High-Altitude Food Forest

🌱🌸 Creating our High-Altitude Food Forest 🌸🌱

I’m excited to share our journey of transforming our yard into a high-altitude food forest! At 8600 feet, in zone 5a, it’s been a labor of love and dedication. We’ve designed an entertainment and grazing area filled with a diverse array of plants that thrive in our unique climate, surrounded by native pines and aspens on our 0.75 acres of land. We also have a small garden cabin and a greenhouse to support our gardening efforts.

Here’s a glimpse of what we’ve planted:

🍇 Currants, plum trees, espaliered apple trees, elderberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes
🌻 Zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, nasturtiums, hollyhocks, wildflowers in an old wheelbarrow, snapdragons (both wild and cultivated), bee balm
🍅 Tomatoes, peas, potatoes, squash, asparagus, lettuce
🌸 Lilacs, pink and white honeysuckle, wild roses, peonies, horseradish, hostas
🌿 Rhubarb (already harvested some this year!), tulips, irises, borage, chives, thyme, wild/planted yarrow, succulents
💜 I miss my lavender – I lost all 3 plants a few years ago, so it’s time to plant more!

Our garden includes raised beds, 2 benches, a sitting area, and a deck with seating, a firepit, 2 hammocks, an umbrella, two storage bins, and rock and mulched pathways.

This project has been a labor of love with my partner Tim, who sadly passed away from cancer earlier this year. This is my first season without him, and I miss him dearly, but I’m so proud of what we’ve created together. I will continue to nurture our garden and add plants we talked about.

Creating this space has been healing and fulfilling, and I hope it inspires others to take on gardening projects, no matter the challenges. 🌿💚

For more information and inspiration, check out myBackyardHomestead.com.

#HighAltitudeGardening #FoodForest #GardeningJourney #InMemoryOfTim #SustainableLiving #NatureLovers #GardenInspiration

 

Strawberries

Question: How do I grow larger strawberries?

If you want to snack on strawberries throughout the season, you need to plant at least 10 plants per person in your household. The first year, you should pinch off the flowers so the plants will focus on putting down more roots. More roots mean bigger fruit the next year. I’ve had a strawberry patch for several years, and here are a few tips based on my experience.

Variety Selection

There are many varieties of strawberries, and choosing the right ones can make a big difference in your yield and fruit size. Here are the main types:

  • Day-Neutral Varieties: These produce fruit throughout the growing season. They are ideal if you want a consistent yield over several months.
  • June-Bearing Varieties: These produce a large crop once a year, usually in late spring or early summer. They are great if you want a large harvest at once for making jams, freezing, or preserving.
  • Ever-Bearing Varieties: These produce two to three harvests per year, typically in spring, summer, and fall. They provide a good compromise between the other two types.

Consider Your Zone

It’s important to choose varieties that are well-suited to your growing zone. I’m in zone 5A, but I’ve purchased several different varieties that do well down to zone 3A. This way, I don’t have to worry about them surviving the winter. Make sure to check the hardiness of the variety you choose to ensure they will thrive in your local climate.

Additional Tips

  • Soil and Location: Plant strawberries in well-draining soil and a sunny location where they can get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
  • Watering and Mulching: Consistent watering is key, especially during fruiting. Mulch with straw, pine needles, or black plastic to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep the fruit clean.
  • Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, mixed into the soil before planting. Apply more during the growing season as needed, but avoid over-fertilizing.

By following these tips, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious, home-grown strawberries!

Top Self-Seeding Flowering Plants

Here are a few popular self-seeding plants to consider for your garden:

Nasturtiums: These flowers are annuals in most climates, meaning they complete their life cycle in one year.
Hardiness Zones: 9-11
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

Sunflowers

Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist): Planted these in my fairy garden. They are delicate blue or white flowers surrounded by feathery foliage creates a charming and ethereal look.
Hardiness Zone: 2-10
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

California Poppies: Vibrant orange, yellow, or red blooms that thrive in sunny and dry conditions, adding a burst of color to your garden.
Hardiness Zone: 6-10
Sunlight: Full sun

Cosmos: With their daisy-like flowers in various shades of pink, white, and purple, Cosmos attracts pollinators and adds an airy elegance to the garden.
Hardiness Zone: 2-11
Sunlight: Full sun

Cleome (Spider Flower): Tall spikes of unique spidery blooms in shades of pink, white, or lavender create a striking vertical element.
Hardiness Zone: 2-11
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

Larkspur: Tall spires of colorful flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, and white, perfect for adding height and vertical interest.
Hardiness Zone: 2-9
Sunlight: Full sun

Forget-Me-Nots: Small, delicate blue flowers that form a carpet of color, often used for shaded areas and woodland gardens.
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Sunlight: Part shade to full shade

Borage: Bright blue, star-shaped flowers and edible leaves that attract pollinators while adding a touch of flavor to salads.
Hardiness Zone: 2-11
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

Sweet Alyssum: Fragrant white, pink, or purple flowers that form low mounds, suitable for borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

Poppies: Various types of poppies, such as Oriental poppies or Shirley poppies, produce eye-catching blooms in a range of colors.
Hardiness Zone: Varies by type (e.g., Oriental poppies are often Zone 3-8)
Sunlight: Full sun

Black-Eyed Susan: Bright yellow flowers with dark centers that attract butterflies and other pollinators.
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Sunlight: Full sun to light shade

Verbena Bonariensis: Tall, slender stems topped with clusters of small purple flowers that create a whimsical and see-through effect.
Hardiness Zone: 7-11 (often grown as an annual in colder zones)
Sunlight: Full sun

Hollyhocks: Towering spikes of flowers in a variety of colors that add a cottage garden charm to any landscape.
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Sunlight: Full sun to light shade

Solstice 2023

On the serene morning of June 21st, 2023, as the world commemorated the solstice, I embarked on an inspiring journey of connection and discovery. The day was marked by a special encounter with a creative soul and a reminder of the preciousness of life and relationships.

In the early hours, I had the privilege of conducting an interview with a gifted artist hailing from India. Through the powers of technology, this enlightening conversation was broadcast live across the globe via YouTube and Twitter. It was intriguing to delve into the artist’s journey, learning about the intricate nuances of his creative process and what led him to the mesmerizing realm of photography. This interaction was not only a celebration of art but also a testament to the beauty of cross-cultural connections.

After this whirlwind of creativity, the day took a more somber turn as my partner, Tim, returned from his preliminary radiation visit. The doctors referred to this as a “dry run” in preparation for the real thing. Starting from tomorrow, he will undergo radiation treatments for 15 business days. The medical team advised him to brace for fatigue but encouraged him to stay moderately active. They recommended short afternoon naps, no more than 45 minutes, followed by light activities like walking.

Tim, however, has been taking much longer naps, often lasting up to four hours. There’s a part of me that believes he should listen to his body and rest as needed. But then again, the medical advice must have its own merits.

In an effort to embrace the day and keep spirits high, we decided to explore a new eatery that had recently opened in town. Our choice was a BBQ place, known for its delectable brisket and cornbread. The meal was flavorsome, though a bit on the expensive side. The sides didn’t quite live up to the expectations, but the brisket and cornbread were savory delights.

Returning home with full bellies, we decided to relish the simple pleasure of nature. Our garden beckoned, and we succumbed to its allure. The tender warmth of the afternoon sun and the gentle rustle of leaves served as a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us, even in times of uncertainty.

As the day drew to a close, I found myself reflecting on its events. It was a day that encapsulated the human experience, from the excitement of new experiences to the concern for a loved one’s health. While life might not be perfect, there is immeasurable value in the moments we share and the connections we make.

Today, I am grateful. Grateful for the creativity and inspiration drawn from others, for the love and companionship of my partner, and for the simple, unadorned moments that make life worthwhile.

Launching Garden Season 2023

Garden Season 2023 Launch

The 2023 gardening season has started on a steady, measured note, providing a distinct contrast to the hasty warming experienced in 2022. That year, a late May snowfall arrived with a harsh surprise, laying waste to the prematurely blooming vegetation.

This year, however, a gentler, more gradual warming has given our gardens a fighting chance. When a hard snowfall hit, it didn’t spell doom for the currant bushes, their blossoms still safely nestled away.

Following our established tradition, we’ve planted a profusion of flowers, breathing life and color into our gardens. In a bold move, we’ve also added two large tomato plants to the mix. They now claim their own space in sizable pots, eagerly awaiting the warm summer days ahead.

Contrary to last year, we’ve decided to give our greenhouse a break this season. This pause will allow us to undertake some much-needed repairs, ensuring that it’s ready and functional for future plantings.