Edible Forest Garden Workshop
Written by David MacLeod and Dan Martin   
Friday, 18 January 2008 18:07

“I am so glad I got a chance to be a part of that experience… I learned a lot, not just about the process, but about a lot of different plants that can grow here, their various uses, the benefits... I'm really curious now and want to learn more… I would love to continue helping other people with their own gardens and community forest gardens as well. Thanks for all your work in helping to put it together, I had a lot of fun and met some great people, new ideas, really felt like what a strong community should be. Thanks again.”

- Dorothy, a happy participant

 

Thank you to everyone who came and participated, the workshop was a real success! It's amazing how much can be done in a short period of time when people come together. If you received Dave Sansone's booklet on Edible Forest Gardens I recommend you read the part where he talks about why forest gardening is even better then organic farming and gardening, (great stuff).


Karl Frank will help to organize another similar event, (for another home in Bellingham), either in the spring or next fall, when trees can be planted.

Again, thanks to everyone for helping make the weekend a success, thanks to the Franks for hosting the event and thanks to Michael Kelly and Pat Rasmussen of Terra Commons for coming and leading the workshop, and to Dave Sansone for the slide show presentation. Thanks to Hardware Sales for loaning wheelbarrows.

Dan Martin
Sustainable Bellingham

See the Bellingham Herald article by Zoe Fraley: "With help, Bellingham family transforms landscape into an edible garden": http://www.bellinghamherald.com/homeandgarden/story/357228.html

Ready to do it again!? Thurday, April 3rd, 7:00 PM, come to a meeting for people interested in converting lawns to edible forest gardens
Where: Community Food Co-op's Connections builiding (we are asked to park on the street, not in the parking lot)

There has been a lot of interest in edible forest gardening in Bellingham, so lets take some time to discuss what it will take convert your lawns into food forests. We want to set up work parties to sheet mulch (kill off lawns) throughout the spring and summer.

For more info, contact Dave Sansone at 360-333-5051, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Iron St. Edible Forest Garden: Who’s Next?

Karl Frank’s new blog
We wanted to say another thank-you for all the work you did this weekend and in the weeks leading up to the workshop. You did an awesome job! I've gotten started on a website to document our progress. It will grow and evolve over the next few days and weeks. You can have the first peak if you like. Any suggestions you have are welcome. ommy says its time to go outside now. He loves playing in the new garden! Check out the Youtube video!

http://ironstreetedibleforestgarden.wordpress.com/


Jan Spencer's Suburban Permaculture site has taken notice of our project.
Jan suggested doing a project of this type when he visited us last summer. Then, we were able to connect with Michael Kelly through a network created by Jan, and when Michael offered to come up, we jumped at the chance. Jan has posted photos I took even before I have had the chance to upload them to our webserver on this site.
http://www.suburbanpermaculture.org/bellingham/Bellingham.htm


As posted on Jan Spencer's site ("fotos" by David MacLeod and Karl Frank):

 

These are Fotos from a Bellingham work party, March 8 and 9. The task was to sheet mulch- grass to garden, a major edible landscaping project. Over 40 people took part. Looks like a lot of fun! A lot was learned because it was also a workshop.

Given an opportunity, many people will volunteer, especially if its a good time for a good cause.

Raised beds and fruit trees. This will fill in nicely. The starkness will pass in only a few years.

The idea to do such a work party came from an out of town visitor who suggested work parties for such a task is a great idea. So they did but probably would have figured it out anyway. Its gratifying to see it happen. Only another 20 or 30,000 more to go.

to find out more about the bellingham project, go to http://ironstreetedibleforestgarden.wordpress.com/

the yard conversion has generated a lot of excitement in bellingham!

 
Hits: 10708
Comments (0)add comment

Write comment
quote
bold
italicize
underline
strike
url
image
quote
quote
smile
wink
laugh
grin
angry
sad
shocked
cool
tongue
kiss
cry
smaller | bigger

security image
Write the displayed characters


busy
 

Newsletter

Stay informed of the latest news and events by subscribing to our Community Newsletter
Learn more...

Bookstore

Want to see what we're reading and what books we suggest for like minded individuals?
Learn more...