Ganna Walska Lotusland’s Post

Mulching 🤝 nature helping trees The image below shows a tree that was mulched for 18 months after planting, compared to the trees behind that were not mulched. Both received the same amount of watering, but the mulched tree is twice the height and twice the trunk diameter (all were planted at the same size). Why? Simply, this is the closest a tree in an urban setting will get to a woodland setting, with its rich organic soil. Mulch will... ✅ Compost down, adding organic matter to soil ✅ Improve the soil by boosting Mycorrhizal activity by up to 15 times that of a grass coverage ✅ Moderate soil temperature and stops the sun from baking the top of the soil, killing the Soil Biology ✅ Suppress weed growth, retains moisture and keeps strimmers and mowers away from the trunk. Our expert advice? Use whole tree mulch / landscape mulch 10cm deep, as wide as possible, with the area around the trunk kept clear. The tree will thank you. #biodiversity #treehealth #landscape #maturetrees #sustainability #environment #mulching #soilbiology

The Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium), a native plant in the Northwestern U.S., is not only a striking addition to gardens with its holly-like leaves and yellow flowers, but its berries are also used to make jams and even wine! 🚨Webinar Alert: Northwestern U.S. Native Plant Workshop: Native Plants in Managed Landscapes and Gardens🚨 🗓Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024 🕒Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM PDT 🔗Register Now: https://buff.ly/480Kuvv HalfMoon Education Inc. presents a live interactive webinar for professional growth presented by Linda Chalker-Scott, PhD Here's some highlights: 🔸Defining native and nonnative plants, their ecological impact, the controversy surrounding invasive species, the benefits of native plants, and fostering biodiversity in landscapes and gardens. 🔸Exploring environmental challenges for native plants in managed landscapes, including soil, water, temperature, light, pollutants, and harmful management practices like improper soil care, planting techniques, and chemical misuse. 🔸Examining how climate change affects native plant distribution in the Northwest, including plant migration, temperature and rainfall extremes, and invasive species responses. 🔸Addressing common invasive species in Northwestern gardens and landscapes, and strategies for removal that protect soil ecosystems. 🔸Exploring native and introduced alternatives to invasive plants, including options for trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, annuals, and alternatives to monocultural lawns. 🔸Building a strong pollinator landscape through site-specific plant selection, nursery plant quality, soil preparation, proper installation, aftercare, and reliable resources on native Northwest plants. #EcoFriendlyGardening #SustainableLandscapes #Biodiversity #InvasiveSpeciesManagement #PollinatorGardens #NorthwestFlora #ClimateResilientGardens #WildlifeHabitat #GardenSustainability #Webinar #LiveWebinar

Join us in building an Earth-Sustaining Biotope. The land of Imstenrade (South Netherlands) is calling for Natural Farmers (and other Earth Beings) to join an small intentional community. In the hills of South Limburg, NL, is an big old farm, size of a small village, connected to an ancient forest. Soil of clay and cob is laying here and is asking to be rewilded by natural farmers, one, or two people or a family who would like to settle here and be part of this piece of paradise. We want to experiment and learn the ancient ways of living together with the land, expand the biodiversity and enrich our soils, while building a new culture of peace and trust. Are you looking for a place to live in nature and produce healthy bio foods? For yourself and a community around you? On 6h of land we will honour our ancestral lines of living in harmony with nature. We are interested in methods like Natural farming, Permaculture and all other ways that fit the natures visions and our wishes for rich foods. Our goal is to work with the land to create a biodiverse forestry with gardens, waters and wild life. Building a biotope that involves all principles of life to be connected. Read on if you are interested, other earth-beings will be called to come together. So if you are a nature teacher, builder or someone who wants to invest in a healthy and loving future, visit our website and see how we can join effort. A life experiment of our life time and those of many generations to come. #regeneratievefarming #HealingBiotope #IntentionalCommunities #SpreadingLove

What's the answer to bare, exhausted, compacted soil surfaces in flowerbeds? There is a pragmatic, cost-effective, biodiversity-friendly and attractive solution to the decades of over-spraying that have been carried out in a vain attempt to achieve 'neat & tidy' landscapes with 'weed-free' conditions. P.S. Apologies, my dog is only vaguely interested in hearing me talk about soil... Refs: Chalker-Scott, L. (2007), Impact of Mulches on Landscape Plants and the Environment — A Review, Journal of Environmental Horticulture Kratsch, H. (2007), Water-Wise Landscaping: Mulch, Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping Ngosong et al., (2019), Mulching: A Sustainable Option to Improve Soil Health, Soil Fertility Management for Sustainable Development Royal Horticultural Society (2024), Mulches & mulching, https://lnkd.in/dK_eCu4q

As an alternative to widely spaced schemes reliant upon plastic tree shelters and use of chemicals to suppress weed pressure, the Miyawaki method has got to be worthy of consideration for woodland creation - particularly for small scale schemes. Proponents claim canopy closure in less than 3 years, higher rates of biodiversity and more carbon sequestration than in conventional schemes. High densities of broadleaf trees will also likely result in improved quality timber. The higher costs associated with increased density could be offset by more open space outside of planting coupes which would in any case add to the habitat mosaic effect. https://lnkd.in/gqcukJas

The success of a #Miyawaki forest begins beneath the surface. Before a single seedling is planted, the soil must be transformed into a fertile bed that mirrors the natural forest floor. Why the intensive focus on soil preparation? The answer lies in the unique challenges urban soils face: compaction from construction, contamination from pollutants, and #nutrient depletion. These conditions create a hostile environment for #native species accustomed to the rich, loose soil of their natural habitats. The Miyawaki Method addresses these challenges with a scientifically-backed soil preparation protocol. First, a comprehensive soil analysis paints a picture of the soil's current health, identifying deficiencies and contaminants. Then, the addition of organic matter—such as compost, rice husks, coffee grounds, and more—plays a crucial role. Each of these components not only enriches the soil with nutrients but also improves its structure and #water-holding capacity, ensuring that young seedlings have the best possible start. 🌿🔬 Transforming urban #soil into a thriving #habitat represents a profound step towards ecological sustainability. Degraded, unused lands are reborn as biodiverse ecosystems that support not only plant life but also urban wildlife, contributing to the ecological balance of our cities. As we explore the transformative Miyawaki Method together, it's evident that every flourishing urban forest begins from the ground up—with the soil. This crucial step is more than just preparation; it's the cornerstone of a thriving green future in our cities. 🌍💚 Do you have questions about soil preparation or face challenges with planting in unhealthy soil? Share your experiences and inquiries in the comments below. #MiyawakiMethod #UrbanForestry #SoilHealth #SustainableCities

How understanding the 6-3-4(TM) guides management decisions along the road of regeneration. Understanding Ag, LLC - Experts in Regenerative AgSoil Health AcademyRegenified™

Too often in farming, we can be too quick to inject ourselves and our ideals where we don’t need to be! Attempting to make the imperfect into our version of perfection, but what needs to change is what our perception of perfection really is. More often than not, less is more. Our bale grazing is a good example of that. These areas where there is leftover hay from feeding last winter are strategically placed in areas where we needed a higher concentration of organic matter and animal impact. We select areas that need it when we put the bales out in the winter. These areas might have bare ground, higher concentration of woody species, thistle, etc. Areas where we want to use our management to shift the species composition. After the cows graze, we wait. There is leftover hay, but we don’t chain harrow, we don’t mow to try and chop up unused hay, we don’t try to remove leftover hay. These areas become biological hotspots and become a nucleus of mycorrhizal activity that will spread throughout our pastures. Oftentimes the healthiest ecosystems and pastures look a little unkept. The imperfect is actually what nature desires. Embrace it! 📹: Mike Peterson, Farm & Conservation Director

This situation was predicted decades ago. The Royal Commission on forestry in 1976 alerted the province that we were liquidating the mature large trees at a unsustainable rate and once these trees were gone, BC would lose its competitive advantage. BC can’t compete with jurisdictions like the south east United States that can grow sawlogs in 15 to 20 years.

A quote from this recent TYEE article: quote begins: ‘Improved policies’ — but more trees felled This dramatic crash is exactly what B.C.’s sustained yield system was supposed to avoid. According to its original designers, unlogged and old-growth forests were meant to disappear. They envisioned the forests like a crop of corn or wheat — the oldest trees would be cut first, allowing time for the younger ones to grow. A now ubiquitous term, “sustainability” was first coined to promote the project of turning forests into tree farms. “The people and industries of the British Columbia Coast may rely upon a new forest crop quickly following the old,” the forestry company MacMillan Bloedel told its employees on Christmas cards sent out in the 1960s. The company’s owner, H.R. MacMillan, was the province’s first chief forester in the 1910s and set the groundwork for the sustained yield system to come. quote ends https://lnkd.in/gX_NQpnD