Field Notes
ONE PART FIELD JOURNAL and ONE PART AWE
26 October 18
First frosts of the fall. Two consecutive nights and another a few days later.
26 October 02
Fall tree digging needs a sharp edge. Knives get sharpened, shovels not so much.
26 September 30
The map is not the territory. Plans change, or should anyway. Always learn something new in the process of going from drawn to built. These are dynamic systems, constantly changing from the moment of conception.
26 September 21
Soil might be the least understood ecosystem on land. But there are some things we can infer.
26 Septmeber 16
Easily one of the showiest wildflowers, New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is a hallmark plant of late season pollinators. Found three monarchs feeding late day, one quick stop as part of their epic journey south…jealous.
26 September 13
Oddest thing on the goumi (Eleagnus multiflora). It’s struggled mightily here, especially considering its reputation as a incredibly adaptable plant - even in droughty and poor soil conditions. But this year, after a steamy late summer rain when the air is just starting to cool, we had a wild push of second growth.
26 September 10
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina) pruned heavily around a grafted apple, likely too late but playing with best times and ways. Tried two different methods - top heavy shape by starting cuts low and working up and topping (or a crude version of pollarding) to chest height.