The Mountain Garden is an essential part of Mons Domus. Environmental stewardship is one of the core values of my secular monastic principles, and restoring the clearcut adjacent to the original parcel of land to ecological function and reducing carbon footprint by growing a good bit of my own food are important components to my practice of deliberate living.
Background
The HOA in which this all takes place doesn’t keep close tabs on things until they feel the need to throw legal documents at residents. And this is what happened to the previous owner. She didn’t read the bylaws, clearcut the land, tore up the soil surface- even cut trees from neighboring parcels, and was about to build what was described to me as a pole barn for her toys and a small bungalow. Aside from the clear cut, I take no issue with her plans, but they were all in violation with the HOA bylaws. They HOA came down on her swiftly and firmly, and she never built. The land was left torn up, with brush and burn piles strewn throughout, and open to invasive species for about 6 or 7 years.
The Concept
My original garden would get ample light until the forest leafed out. Then it was in full shade. The clearcut lot to the southwest, with its canopy unfortunately stripped, seemed ideal for putting in a garden. The plot is about a quarter of an acre. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to exercise my environmental principles in a way that I think the neighborhood will enjoy. I don’t need a quarter-acre garden, so the rest of the parcel will be managed for songbird and pollinator habitat.
I finally managed to purchase the lot for a reasonable price, and this spring, I’ve been working full steam to get the garden started.
Progress
Fall 2020, I got a feel for the landscape, and put in a walnut, an apple and an pear tree on the north edge of the property.
Starting in April 2021 change is afoot. I found all four property corner posts. I found some clean, modern looking galvanized raised beds and put them in what will be called the ‘upper garden.’ A circular area, about 36′ in diameter will be the lower garden, and there, I will offer some gardening space to neighbors, and I’ll plant corn, legumes, and cucubrits.
Along the road, I have started a perennial flower garden, which should offer some eye-catching color while supporting pollinators. To the rear of the lot, I’ve started an orchard.
For the birds, I’m leaving the Angelica, some of the berries, and adding some additional fruit bearing and habitat trees. I also plan to build some bird nesting boxes this summer.
What’s growing?
Predominant Existing Species
It’s interesting the lack of diversity for a property this size. One square meter of my less disturbed parcel has more biodiversity.
- Cherry (Prunus serotina)**
- Angelica, aka Devils walking stick**
- Goldenrod**
- Lemon balm invading irrigation ditch- It’s a mess*
- Green Briar*
- Garlic Mustard*
- Invasive, clumping, and runner grasses*
- Curly dock*
- Hay-scented fern
- Raspberry, Blackberry, and gooseberry
*working on eliminating with weeding
**working on reducing in favor of more useful or diverse species
Current additions to habitat area
- Mulberry
- Pawpaw
- Elderberry
- Redbud
- Rhododendron
- Apple
- Pear
- Walnut
- Buckeye
- Dogwood
- Bergamot (M. didyma, M. media, M. fistulosa, M. citriodora
- Gaillardia
- Liatris
- Lupine
- Columbine
- Foxglove
- Oxeye Daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare
- Rudbeckia
- American plum (Prunus americana)
- Asclepias species.
- Cardinal flower
- Lavender
2021 Vegetable garden
- Cole crops
- Asparagus
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Pepppers
- Radishes
- Mesculn
- Rhubarb
- Jerusalem artichokes
- Artichokes
- Kohlrabi
- Radishes
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Pumpkins
- Cantaloupe
- Beans
- Cucumbers
- Herbs
The House Garden
At the main dwelling, I’ve been working on perennial beds. It’s taken a while to figure out what grows, but this year, it’s looking nice.
- Daffodil
- Crocus
- Striped Squill
- Windflower
- Poppy
- Dianthus
- Bergamot
- Salsify
- Lupine
- Coreopsis
- Yarrow
- Rudbeckia
- Columbine
- Daylily
- Asiatic Daylily
- Echinacea
- Dwarf orchard including cherry, apple, pear, peach, and plum
- Milkweed of three species
- Bleeding heart (Dicentra)
- Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra)
- Hosta
- Lambs ears
- Digitalis
- Coral Honeysuckle
- Clematis
- Ninebark
- Holly
- Rhododendron and azalea
- Grape Hyacinth
- Winter Aconite
- Violets
I’ve also upgraded the recycling separation and compost bins. Life is looking green!