Food BOL Planting

H

hoss

Out to lunch
I have some undeveloped land in southern Wisconsin. I believe the growing zone is 4b.

I would like to plant some perennials for survival food purposes. Jerusalem artichokes come to mind but was wondering if anyone has any other good ideas.

It would need to be "plant and forget" since I don't make it there very often.

Thoughts?
 
S

summerthyme

Administrator
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ANY fruit bushes/trees that will survive your climate zone. Blueberries require very acid soil, most other fruit needs slightly acid to neutral (pH around 6.5)

Plant them with some landscape fabric to give them at least 4 feet around without heavy weed pressure. Heavy mulch with wood chips after you plant, but leave at least 6" of space around the trunk (otherwise, you're just giving the rodents nice cover while they strip the bark) and put either plastic tree trunk protectors or (my preference) a hardware cloth tube to protect the trunk and bark the first couple years.

Dehydrated fruit can last for years and provides a good amount of calories. No protein, obviously, but it will attract enough mammals and birds to provide your protein needs if you can hunt or trap.

Summerthyme
 
Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
a good asparagus patch isn't always eazy to get established - but once it starts to deliver and spread it'll last generations ....

for S WI I'd definitely be looking at planting thorn variety berry bushes like raspberry, blackberry boysenberry ect ect into some defensive type approach inhibitors ....
 
M

moldy

Veteran Member
Another thought would be burdock. the root can be eaten as a vegetable, not sure about the leaves. However, around here it would be considered a nuisance weed.
 
O

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Have you looked into native fruit trees and berry bushes? There are a lot of edible wild plants that could hide in plain sight. Is there water on the property? The lay of the ground, soil type (or lack there of) and available water will effect what will or could work. Also a lot of common weeds are edible.

Here local parks sometimes arrange for edible wild plant tours. Some nursery specialize in native fruiting plants to attract wild life. Believe it or not Uncle Sam may even be willing to help. The State Department of forestry in some states give away fruit and nut trees for people to plant to produce food for wildlife. Just remember humans cannot tolerate all the same foods as wildlife, but many work for both humans and animals. Some wild foods require special processing to make them edible for instance elder berry has to be cooked. Unripe native American persimmons will suck all of the moisture out of the mouth of whoever takes even the tinyest bite. I have yet to find a ripe one.

The Arbor Day Foundation may be able to help or supply you with some information.
https://www.arborday.org/

Good luck.
 
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H

hoss

Out to lunch
I started an asparagus patch in a 4x8 raised bed at my home 2 years ago. I really hope this is the year it takes off as I have been disappointed to date.
 
H

hoss

Out to lunch
Thanks for the replies. I would love to plant some fruit trees but not sure if I can keep them from the deer. The former owner of the property planted a few fruit trees but the deer killed them.

Now that I have a plan I need to figure out how I can plant -- given that the ground is not worked up and all tools at my disposal will be carried on my back. I really need to get a 4 wheeler.

I will probably work the ground with a shovel and a trowel or something. Should be interesting. Even if not successful I'm sure I will learn a few things along the way.
 
O

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Chain link fencing with wire on top to keep deer out helps. I have seen translucent pipe used to cover young saplings. Nothing is fool proof.
 
O

Old Gray Mare

TB Fanatic
Have you considered herbs and spices? Herbs from the Mediterranean will need protection and it is still a crap shoot trying to get some of them thru the winter in colder temperate areas. In my area some people can over winter: sage and rosemary, lavender and thyme. I haven't found what the trick is to do that yet. Things like chives, garlic chives (really invasive), Greek oregano, bee balm, lemon balm, tarragon, most mints (incredibly invasive) seem to do OK for me.
 
P

Pinecone

Has No Life - Lives on TB
Leeks. We are in a more gentle zone, but have leeks that return every year. OGM beat me about herbs, too. You might be surprised at what returns yearly. We had some Mediterranean herbs make it through the winters in zone 4, high desert and little or no snow.
 
Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
hoss said:
I started an asparagus patch in a 4x8 raised bed at my home 2 years ago. I really hope this is the year it takes off as I have been disappointed to date.
Click to expand...


really heavy feeders - best to apply well aged manure a couple of times a year ....
 
Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior

Illini Warrior
hammerhead said:
Chain-link fencing around the trunk is common here in the foothills to keep elk from killing young trees.
Click to expand...



split 4 inch poly drainage tubing is common - it "rides" with the growing trunk without growing into it or inhibiting the growth - trunk can get up to 6-7 inches without a problem
 
BenIan

BenIan

Veteran Member
Maybe also look into hugelkultur. There's tons of videos on you tube and it looks like an interesting concept.
 
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