Intro Post
Mar. 26th, 2022 05:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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gardeningName: ysabetwordsmith
Location: Central Illinois. It used to be Zone 5b and is now Zone 6a. Some of the changes are dramatic.
Lot size: About 2 acres of rural territory. The yard by the house and south lot are mostly lawn. The streetside yard is forest. There's a savanna on the far side of the driveway, and then the prairiegarden. The ritual meadow and the orchard are toward the back.
What I grow: All kinds of things. The yard in general is loose permaculture and gardening for wildlife with some beds and stuff scattered around. I have a couple of herb gardens, a small forest garden, a container garden, the septic garden, several flower gardens including a wildflower garden, and the big prairie garden. There are edible and ornamental things throughout. I'm increasingly inclined toward native species, but that's not all I grow. I haven't had much luck with vegetables but I'm quite good at growing herbs, some fruits, and a few other edibles. A very partial list: black walnuts, acorns, mulberries, cooking pears, pie cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, wild strawberries, asparagus, sunchokes, clove currants, serviceberries, Cornelian cherry, lots of ornamental flowers and herbs. I have a persimmon tree that has flowered for a year or two but not set fruit yet. Despite the common belief that "permaculture is all about fruit," I also use mine for firewood, craft materials, spiritual purposes, and wildlife support. My mini-ecosystem is not fancy but it is sufficiently functional that Gaia sometimes plants things for me, like the elderberries, wild grape vines, and cup plant; and my detritus food chain is 3 days to apex.
What I post about: I'm a professional writer, so I write all kinds of stuff including nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. I do a Poetry Fishbowl on the first Tuesday of each month, and thecrowdfunding Creative Jam mid-month, with different themes; gardening and other nature prompts are welcome. Gardening, Birdfeeding, Wildlife, Nature, and Environment are common topics on my blog. Almost every day I make a Birdfeeding (mostly cold season) or Gardening (mostly warm season) post about my outdoor activities, the weather, and when relevant what is budding, blooming, or fruiting. I also do Follow Friday posts if you're looking for more communities. Sometimes I post photos from my yard. It looks a lot like a jungle, because it has as many layers as one, complete with an emergent layer (the sycamore). Feel free to drop by my blog and see if you like it; mine is highly active with public posts.
What I'm looking for: I enjoy chatting with other gardeners and outdoorsy folks. I like both comparing with gardens or yards near mine, and contrasting with those far away. I lean toward permaculture, organic, gardening for wildlife, open-pollinated or landrace, with a very laid-back approach; but it's fun to see different examples that other people are doing. I belong to Grand Prairie Friends, in case any fellow members are on here. I love seeing photos, art, crafts, etc. of other people's yard or garden.
ysabetwordsmith Location: Central Illinois. It used to be Zone 5b and is now Zone 6a. Some of the changes are dramatic.
Lot size: About 2 acres of rural territory. The yard by the house and south lot are mostly lawn. The streetside yard is forest. There's a savanna on the far side of the driveway, and then the prairiegarden. The ritual meadow and the orchard are toward the back.
What I grow: All kinds of things. The yard in general is loose permaculture and gardening for wildlife with some beds and stuff scattered around. I have a couple of herb gardens, a small forest garden, a container garden, the septic garden, several flower gardens including a wildflower garden, and the big prairie garden. There are edible and ornamental things throughout. I'm increasingly inclined toward native species, but that's not all I grow. I haven't had much luck with vegetables but I'm quite good at growing herbs, some fruits, and a few other edibles. A very partial list: black walnuts, acorns, mulberries, cooking pears, pie cherries, blackberries, black raspberries, wild strawberries, asparagus, sunchokes, clove currants, serviceberries, Cornelian cherry, lots of ornamental flowers and herbs. I have a persimmon tree that has flowered for a year or two but not set fruit yet. Despite the common belief that "permaculture is all about fruit," I also use mine for firewood, craft materials, spiritual purposes, and wildlife support. My mini-ecosystem is not fancy but it is sufficiently functional that Gaia sometimes plants things for me, like the elderberries, wild grape vines, and cup plant; and my detritus food chain is 3 days to apex.
What I post about: I'm a professional writer, so I write all kinds of stuff including nonfiction, fiction, and poetry. I do a Poetry Fishbowl on the first Tuesday of each month, and the
crowdfunding Creative Jam mid-month, with different themes; gardening and other nature prompts are welcome. Gardening, Birdfeeding, Wildlife, Nature, and Environment are common topics on my blog. Almost every day I make a Birdfeeding (mostly cold season) or Gardening (mostly warm season) post about my outdoor activities, the weather, and when relevant what is budding, blooming, or fruiting. I also do Follow Friday posts if you're looking for more communities. Sometimes I post photos from my yard. It looks a lot like a jungle, because it has as many layers as one, complete with an emergent layer (the sycamore). Feel free to drop by my blog and see if you like it; mine is highly active with public posts.What I'm looking for: I enjoy chatting with other gardeners and outdoorsy folks. I like both comparing with gardens or yards near mine, and contrasting with those far away. I lean toward permaculture, organic, gardening for wildlife, open-pollinated or landrace, with a very laid-back approach; but it's fun to see different examples that other people are doing. I belong to Grand Prairie Friends, in case any fellow members are on here. I love seeing photos, art, crafts, etc. of other people's yard or garden.
