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 ...

I was just outside planting my new aronia berry plant, and waiting for one of my pregnant Jacob ewes to give birth when I noticed something strange in the grass under the weeping willow tree... I've seen a lot of mushrooms popping up here and there lately, but they don't tend to catch my interest like this one. This one was different. It was quite unlike any mushroom I had ever seen before. At first glance I noticed the cap of the mushroom had a shredded appearance. That in itself made for an interesting look, but there was more to it than that. Not only did it look shredded by nature, but it was wet. I'm not talking about rain or dew wet either. There was black liquid actually dripping from it. Liquid so black it looked like tar. While I crouched down to watch the mushroom I was able to witness multiple droplets of pure blackness fall off and stain the ground below. I can't even begin to guess what purpose this black liquid serves. It didn't seem to be harm...