Johann's Garden

This is a list of edible species (as well as non-edibles I find useful) that I am growing in my developing permaculture-ish plot (Temperate climate, USDA Zone 8, Washington State, USA) which includes a small property of my own as well as two neighboring properties belonging to family members. Looking over this list it would seem that I could feed myself with this, but in reality many of these plants are still in their early stages of establishment, and not all of them are highly productive... In addition to this list there are other edible species naturally present on the property which are not included since they do not offer any meaningful production at this time. KEY: 🍇 = producing very good quantities each year 🍒  = producing lightly each year (either from lack of maturity or lack of capability) 🌱 = acquired, but have not yet planted out All unmarked have been planted, but are not yet producing ⚒ = potentially on the chopping block for removal for one reason or...

T here is something liberating about being involved in the harvest of food.  Even if I can't produce enough for a year round supply, it still feels good to harvest an animal that was raised under conditions that were humane and with techniques that contribute minimal stress to the animal.  Setting out to do something like this can be intimidating, but if you take a step back for a realistic look you will remember that people have been around harvesting and eating food for as long as they have been in existence.  The fact that a large part of the human population is now no longer involved with the process of harvesting and processing plants and animals into food does not mean we have lost the capability to do so if we just put forth a bit of effort.  Sheep having a hay day. I honestly do get most of my food from the grocery store.  However, I am fortunate to have access to land where I can raise sheep.  Therefore if I want lamb I do not need to buy it ...

Y esterday I had the opportunity to harvest wapato for the second time.  I have been growing them in tanks for two seasons now.  Last fall I had a small harvest having planted only three small tubers at the beginning of the season.  This year's harvest was more sizable; still not too many meals worth, but if I compare the labor input to harvest ratio I'd say they were quite worthwhile.  Other than occasionally adding some water or manure to the tanks there was really not much work involved.  Also, harvesting was more fun than work.  I just stirred up the muck with a long handled garden tool and then collected the wapatos as they floated to the surface.     To the left is a portion of my wapato harvest next to a few sunchoke tubers.  You'll notice that there is quite a range in sizes.  The large egg sized tubers all came from a larger tank of water that was only lightly populated with wapato this season and the muck they grew in...