Back To Our Roots Vol 1
Gardening
I curated this page for all those who are interested in seeing the corresponding images to Goshen Acres's first book: Back to Our Roots : Gardening.
The main Garden
Journey with me through the build and evolution of the main garden. This was made with no tilling or disrupting of the soil. It was made over a period of 3 years, 1/3 segments built at a time. This garden is where I plant my main plants for daily eating and harvesting for winter storage. The first segment is now 6 years old and mature.
The medicinal Gardens
In years 3 and 4, I decided to build 2 medicinal gardens that house many of the plants we utilize here and also in Goshen's salve, tonics and lotion products. To start this project, I first researched what plants I would want to harvest and then sorted them according to their characteristics of being invasive or not. 2 gardens were eventually built, the "In the garden" and "Out of the garden" medicinal gardens. Plants that had the capability to spread went in the "out of the garden" garden and the rest went in the "in the garden" medicinal garden. This would help with maintenance and containment. Plants included are Mugwort, White horehound, Yarrow, Sage, Lavender, Wooly lambs' ear, Calendula, Hyssop, Anise hyssop, Echinacea, Evening primrose, Black fennel, Wild lettuce, Wormwood, Feverfew, Celandine, Chamomile, Thyme, Self-heal, borage, Calendula, Rugosa Rose, skull cap, Shepard's purse, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Marshmallow, Clover, Violets, Comfrey, Dandelion, Plantain, Sesame, Wood betony and always adding to the plant library.
The overflow Garden
This is another garden that I created in 8 hours to plant primarily extra grains for the chickens if we should need them, potatoes, corn and extra plants after the main garden planting. This garden was made on top of sod and planted in, the day I built it.
The Tea Garden
One of my favorite gardens to build was a tea garden! Its purpose was to grow plants that could be harvested and stored for winter's comfort. My main thought was what if I can't buy coffee? What could I grow to substitute that would be easily accessible and harvested. What plants can I grow that will help for many different medicinal options? I decided on plants like many different mints, lemon balm, hyssop, monarda bee balm, dandelions, Lavendar, fennel and raspberry leaves. This garden is showcasing many of the different teacups and saucers I have collected over the years.
Perennial and regenerating
edible Gardens
These are various plantings all over the homestead. Some in lines, some in patches and some in rows. All are treated the same and mulched with wood chips each spring or late fall. This keeps their roots moist, and fertilized and keeps weeds and grass from encroaching. There are so many plants that once established, will provide food year after year, either by setting seed each year or by established root.
ThE chicken Garden
Last year I decided to make a garden that would be in the barnyard for extra treats. The animals love fresh produce and sometimes much produce in the main garden doesn't make it to the animals because it isn't in close proximity to share. If I had something close and within their space, then I could step in and throw it over. They would really like this, and it would help with extra rations. This garden will not be neat and tidy. It will be the kind of garden that "what can grow, will grow". I plan on using seed that I have collected from my garden and also those left over seed packets that never got used up. Sometimes germination is not high in old seed packets, but there are still seeds that will be viable. It seems like such a waste to throw them out, this would be a good use for them. Last fall I began its build. I started by laying down cardboard and then putting stall cleanings and old hay on top. I scattered a lot of old produce or seeds that come from kitchen waste onto this garden. I tried to bury clumps pf seeds, like amaranth, tomato or squash in hopes that the chickens wouldn't find some of them so they could grow this summer. As always, a fence will be needed, or nothing will stay out of the fresh plants and dirt. Kenny and lil Kenny did this for me this spring, so now the fun begins! Stay tuned to see its progress.
