Another Lawn Reclaimed – for Pears Blueberries Mushrooms and more…

Father’s Day found the Food Action Group busy at their 2nd Permablitz – this time at the Hamburg residence in Glenside.

Prior to the blitz, the team had met with the family and developed a plan for the pear guildand another for the blueberry guild.

We learned that a guild is a group of species that share resources or create relationships of mutual support.  In creating a fruit guild, we wish for high, diverse yields while minimizing competition for resources and maximizing ecological health and self-maintenance within the system.

Other team members coordinated trips with a borrowed pickup truck to get horse manure and compost onsite, placing both right on the pristine front lawn!  A new raised bed was constructed atop the front lawn for the blueberry guild, pachysandra was uprooted from under a weeping cherry tree to make room for mushrooms.

A visit to the Tran residence across the street thrilled us to see lemons, yes citrus, growing in pots. There were many Asian greens we’d never heard off, with cherry & persimmon trees and even a koi pond.

 

 

 

While planting the Asian Pear guild, we learned the need for appropriate plant selection for the guild.  Ground covers help control weeds and erosion; nitrogen fixers and dynamic accumulators help maintain fertility & build the soil; season-long flowing provides food for beneficial insects and pollinators; and finally, that we include shelter and food for beneficial insects and wildlife.

Jordan turned 11 and we all stopped for water ice & pretzels.  Aunt Esther had a 92nd birthday party planned for the evening. And Noah pulled out some chilled hard cider.

Planted the Blueberry guild in the raised bed, along with Green and Gold, wild blue indego, yellow wild Indego, alpine strawberries, sorrel and gooseberry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mushrooms of the Winecap variety were planted in the shade of the weeping cherry in the front yard, and also underneath the steps to the back deck. Cardboard, woodchips, spawn and hay were layered, carefully watering each layer before covering, using approximately 1/3 cup of spawn per sf.

Discussions already underway for our 3rd Permablitz.

All in all, a successful second Permablitz was had on Father’s Day at the Hamburg residence.