Making an eighth of an acre including house edible instead of the pre-planted evergreens

1. Warm-Up Question: How many of
these concepts, publications or
people have *you* heard of?
(Bonus: Can You Define It?)
Res Rustica — Columella (70 AD)
“Bio-dynamic Gardening” — R. Steiner (1920’s)
Organic Gardening — (1940’s)
“Bio-intensive Gardening” — J. Jeavons (1970’s)
Permaculture One— B. Mollison & D. Holmgren
(1974/1978)
Square Foot Gardening — M. Bartholemew
(1976)
Edible Landscaping — R. Creasy (1980’s)

2. Warm-Up Question
European (and written)
focus on how did these
ancient and modern
authorities define
“Horticulture” and
what can we learn from
their ideas?

3. Res Rustica —
Columella (70 AD)

4. A twelve volume set of writings on Roman agriculture by Lucius
Junius Moderatus Columella (4 AD – 70 AD)
From the (Translated) Preface:
“one method of increasing one's substance that befits a man who is
a gentleman and free-born, and this is found in agriculture. 11 If the
precepts of this science were put in practice in the old-fashioned
way, even in imprudent fashion by those without previous instruction
(provided, however, that they were owners of the land), the business
of husbandry would sustain smaller loss; for the diligence that goes
with proprietorship would compensate in large measure the losses
occasioned by lack of knowledge; and men whose interests were at
stake would not wish to appear forever ignorant of their own affairs,
and for that reason more zealous to learn, they would gain a
thorough knowledge of husbandry.”
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Columella/home
.html
Loeb Classical Library edition, 1941
Pro
• Written
• Voluminous
Con
• Age
• Language: Latin
• Scale of “Farm”
• Style: Conversational
• Issues Faced
(Type of Workers, etc.)
Res Rustica

5. Res Rustica
A twelve volume set of writings on Roman agriculture by Lucius
Junius Moderatus Columella (4 AD – 70 AD)
From the (Translated) Preface:
“one method of increasing one's substance that befits a man who is
a gentleman and free-born, and this is found in agriculture. If the
precepts of this science were put in practice in the old-fashioned
way, even in imprudent fashion by those without previous instruction
(provided, however, that they were owners of the land), the business
of husbandry would sustain smaller loss; for the diligence that goes
with proprietorship would compensate in large measure the losses
occasioned by lack of knowledge; and men whose interests were at
stake would not wish to appear forever ignorant of their own affairs,
and for that reason more zealous to learn, they would gain a
thorough knowledge of husbandry.”
http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Columella/home
.html
Loeb Classical Library edition, 1941

6. “Bio-dynamic Gardening”
— R. Steiner (1920’s)

7. “Bio-dynamic Gardening” — R. Steiner (1920’s)
“Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming,
gardening, food and nutrition. […] Biodynamic principles and practices are
based on the spiritual insights and practical suggestions of Dr. Rudolf
Steiner. […]
Biodynamic farmers strive to create a diversified, balanced farm ecosystem
that generates health and fertility as much as possible from within the farm
itself. Preparations made from fermented manure, minerals and herbs are
used to help restore and harmonize the vital life forces of the farm and to
enhance the nutrition, quality and flavor of the food being raised. […] Most
biodynamic initiatives seek to embody triple bottom line approaches
(ecological, social and economic sustainability), taking inspiration from
Steiner’s insights into social and economic life as well as agriculture.
Community supported agriculture (CSA), for example, was pioneered by
biodynamic farmers.
Biodynamics is thus not just a holistic agricultural system but also a potent
movement for new thinking and practices in all aspects of life connected to
food and agriculture.”
https://www.biodynamics.com/what-is-biodynamics
Pro
• Written
• Modern
Con
• Philosophy applied
to Farming (holistic,
ethical, ecological)
• Scale
(Size of Farm: Large)
• Not scientifically
proven

8. “Bio-dynamic Gardening” — R. Steiner (1920’s)
“Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming,
gardening, food and nutrition. […] Biodynamic principles and practices are
based on the spiritual insights and practical suggestions of Dr. Rudolf
Steiner. […]
Biodynamic farmers strive to create a diversified, balanced farm ecosystem
that generates health and fertility as much as possible from within the farm
itself. Preparations made from fermented manure, minerals and herbs are
used to help restore and harmonize the vital life forces of the farm and to
enhance the nutrition, quality and flavor of the food being raised. […] Most
biodynamic initiatives seek to embody triple bottom line approaches
(ecological, social and economic sustainability), taking inspiration from
Steiner’s insights into social and economic life as well as agriculture.
Community supported agriculture (CSA), for example, was pioneered by
biodynamic farmers.
Biodynamics is thus not just a holistic agricultural system but also a potent
movement for new thinking and practices in all aspects of life connected to
food and agriculture.”
https://www.biodynamics.com/what-is-biodynamics

9. Organic Gardening —
(1940’s)

10. “A basic definition of organic gardening is gardening without synthetic
fertilizers and pesticides.
But organic gardening is much more than simply replacing manmade
chemicals with those derived from natural sources. It is a philosophy of
gardening that supports the health of the whole system. In an organically
managed yard or vegetable garden the emphasis is on cultivating an
ecosystem that sustains and nourishes plants, soil microbes and
beneficial insects rather than simply making plants grow.
Creating this ecosystem begins with improving the soil. Adding organic
matter by mixing compost into the soil increases its capacity to retain
water and nutrients and supports beneficial microbes, which are essential
to healthy plant growth. Compost can be made at home from grass
clippings, leaves, yard debris, and kitchen scraps, or purchased from
garden centers and mulch suppliers. […] Another way to add organic
matter to the soil is to grow cover crops and turn them into the soil just as
they begin to flower.” Organic fertilizers and agricultural lime are also
used to improve the soil.
https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/2012/03/what-is-organic-gardening/
Pro
• Gardening
without synthetic
chemicals
• Modern
Con
• More defined by
what it isn’t
• Scalable
• Lots of
information /
Authorities
Organic Gardening — (1940’s)

11. Organic Gardening — (1940’s)
“A basic definition of organic gardening is gardening without synthetic
fertilizers and pesticides. But organic gardening is much more than
simply replacing manmade chemicals with those derived from natural
sources. It is a philosophy of gardening that supports the health of the
whole system. In an organically managed yard or vegetable garden the
emphasis is on cultivating an ecosystem that sustains and nourishes
plants, soil microbes and beneficial insects rather than simply making
plants grow.
Creating this ecosystem begins with improving the soil. Adding organic
matter by mixing compost into the soil increases its capacity to retain
water and nutrients and supports beneficial microbes, which are essential
to healthy plant growth. Compost can be made at home from grass
clippings, leaves, yard debris, and kitchen scraps, or purchased from
garden centers and mulch suppliers. […] Another way to add organic
matter to the soil is to grow cover crops and turn them into the soil just as
they begin to flower.” Organic fertilizers and agricultural lime are also
used to improve the soil.
https://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/2012/03/what-is-organic-gardening/

12. “Bio-intensive Gardening”
— J. Jeavons (1970’s)

13. “Bio-intensive Gardening”
How to Grow More Vegetables*, J. Jeavons
“GROW BIOINTENSIVE’s Eight Concepts:
[…] Double-dug beds, with soil loosened to a depth of 24 inches, aerate the
soil, facilitate root growth, and improve water retention. The health and
vigor of the soil are maintained through the use of compost. Close plant
spacing is used to protect soil microorganisms, reduce water loss, and
maximize yields. Companion planting facilitates the optimal use of
nutrients, light and water, encourages beneficial insects and creates a
vibrant mini-ecosystem within the garden. A focus on the production
of calories for the farmer and carbon for the soil ensures that both the
farmer and the soil will be adequately fed and that the farm will be
sustainable. The use of open-pollinated seeds helps to preserve genetic
diversity and enables gardeners to develop their own acclimatized
cultivars. All of the components of this system must be used together for
optimum effect and to avoid depleting the soil.”
http://www.growbiointensive.org/grow_main.html
Double-Dug, Raised Beds Composting
Intensive Planting Companion Planting
Carbon Farming Calorie Farming
Using Open-Pollinated Seeds Whole-System Farming Method
Pro
• Modern
• Written reference works:
“How to Grow More
Vegetables*”, et al.
• Scientifically
demonstrated; article in
Science published
Con
• Scalable {**}
• Physical labor demanded
(double digging)
• *Whole* system
emphasized
{**} Not as well suited to
SFH

14. “Bio-intensive Gardening”
How to Grow More Vegetables*, J. Jeavons
“GROW BIOINTENSIVE’s Eight Concepts:
[…] Double-dug beds, with soil loosened to a depth of 24 inches, aerate the
soil, facilitate root growth, and improve water retention. The health and
vigor of the soil are maintained through the use of compost. Close plant
spacing is used to protect soil microorganisms, reduce water loss, and
maximize yields. Companion planting facilitates the optimal use of
nutrients, light and water, encourages beneficial insects and creates a
vibrant mini-ecosystem within the garden. A focus on the production
of calories for the farmer and carbon for the soil ensures that both the
farmer and the soil will be adequately fed and that the farm will be
sustainable. The use of open-pollinated seeds helps to preserve genetic
diversity and enables gardeners to develop their own acclimatized
cultivars. All of the components of this system must be used together for
optimum effect and to avoid depleting the soil.”
http://www.growbiointensive.org/grow_main.html
Double-Dug, Raised Beds Composting
Intensive Planting Companion Planting
Carbon Farming Calorie Farming
Using Open-Pollinated Seeds Whole-System Farming Method

15. Permaculture (One)
— B. Mollison &
D. Holmgren
(1974/1978)

16. “Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of
protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless
action; of looking at systems in all their functions rather than asking only one
yield of them & of allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions.”
Bill Mollison
---- OR ----
“Permaculture. A copyright word, owned as a common copyright by the
Permaculture Institutes & their graduates. Derived from ‘Permanent’ and
‘Culture’, as follows:
Permanent: From the Latin permanens, to remain to the end, to persist throughout
(per = through, manere = to continue)
Culture: From the Latin cultura - cultivation of land, or the intellect. Now generalized
to mean all those habits, beliefs, or activities than sustain human societies.
Thus, Permaculture is the study of the design of those sustainable or enduring
systems that support human society, both agricultural & intellectual, traditional
& scientific, architectural, financial & legal. It is the study of integrated systems,
for the purpose of better design & application of such systems.” Bill Mollison
http://www.permaculture.net/about/definitions.html
Pro
• Modern
• Written reference works:
“Permaculture One”, et al.
• Australian idea with
American proponents
Con
• System emphasis requires
additional education
and/or expert/s
• Scalable {**}
• Municipality may impact
design
{**} Not as well suited to
SFH
Permaculture

17. Permaculture
“Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of
protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless
action; of looking at systems in all their functions rather than asking only one
yield of them & of allowing systems to demonstrate their own evolutions.” Bill
Mollison
---- OR ----
“Permaculture. A copyright word, owned as a common copyright by the
Permaculture Institutes & their graduates. Derived from ‘Permanent’ and
‘Culture’, as follows:
Permanent: From the Latin permanens, to remain to the end, to persist throughout
(per = through, manere = to continue)
Culture: From the Latin cultura - cultivation of land, or the intellect. Now generalized
to mean all those habits, beliefs, or activities than sustain human societies.
Thus, Permaculture is the study of the design of those sustainable or enduring
systems that support human society, both agricultural & intellectual, traditional
& scientific, architectural, financial & legal. It is the study of integrated systems,
for the purpose of better design & application of such systems.” Bill Mollison
http://www.permaculture.net/about/definitions.html

18. Square Foot Gardening
— M. Bartholemew
(1976)

19. “4’x4’ raised beds above soil (6” high)
Filled with mix
Place grid overlay on bed / Plant seeds
8 cubic feet needed for a 4x4 6" deep box.
1/3 Coarse Vermiculite
1/3 Peat moss or Coconut Coir
1/3 BLENDED Composts
(Must have at least 4-5 varieties which may include
dairy and poultry manures, bone meal, blood meal, kelp
meal, worm castings, potting soil, forest hummus or
fine mulch)
http://www.squarefootgardening.com/learn/view-video-what-is-
square-foot-gardening/
Square Foot Gardening
Pro
• Modern
• Written reference works:
“Square Foot Gardening”,
et al.
• Scalable
• Doesn’t use current $oil
Con
• Mix requires additional
input$
• Within the Box!
• Intensive: annual, not
perennial

20. Square Foot Gardening
“4’x4’ raised beds above soil (6” high)
Filled with mix
8 cubic feet needed for a 4x4 6" deep box.
1/3 Coarse Vermiculite
1/3 Peat moss or Coconut Coir
1/3 BLENDED Composts
(Must have at least 4-5 varieties which may include
dairy and poultry manures, bone meal, blood meal, kelp
meal, worm castings, potting soil, forest hummus or
fine mulch)
Place grid overlay on bed
Plant seeds
http://www.squarefootgardening.com/learn/view-video-what-is-
square-foot-gardening/

21. Edible Landscaping
— R. Creasy (1980’s)

22. “Edible landscaping is the practical integration of food plants
within an ornamental or decorative setting.
The same design principles as for ornamental landscapes are
used, while substituting edible plants such as lettuces,
blueberries, vegetables and fruit trees for some of the
otherwise unproductive plant material. Using edibles in
landscape design can enhance a garden by providing a unique
ornamental component with additional health, aesthetic, and
economic benefits. Edible landscaping is a mixture of beauty
and utility. However, edible landscaping doesn’t have to be all
edible. In fact, filling the yard with edibles would often produce
too much food for most families, not to mention time and work.
Instead, careful planning and the judicious use of fruits, herbs,
and vegetables results in a yard that is flavorful, practical,
visually pleasing. As a bonus, it’s a great topic for
conversation!”
http://www.rosalindcreasy.com/edible-landscaping-basics/
Pro
• Modern
• Written reference
works: “Edible
Landscaping”, et al.
• Scalable
• Annual and/or
Perennial
Con
• Selection of species
requires either
education and/or
expert/s
• Municipality may
impact design
Edible Landscaping

23. Edible Landscaping
“Edible landscaping is the practical integration of food plants
within an ornamental or decorative setting.
The same design principles as for ornamental landscapes are
used, while substituting edible plants such as lettuces,
blueberries, vegetables and fruit trees for some of the
otherwise unproductive plant material. Using edibles in
landscape design can enhance a garden by providing a unique
ornamental component with additional health, aesthetic, and
economic benefits. Edible landscaping is a mixture of beauty
and utility. However, edible landscaping doesn’t have to be all
edible. In fact, filling the yard with edibles would often produce
too much food for most families, not to mention time and work.
Instead, careful planning and the judicious use of fruits, herbs,
and vegetables results in a yard that is flavorful, practical,
visually pleasing. As a bonus, it’s a great topic for
conversation!”
http://www.rosalindcreasy.com/edible-landscaping-basics/

24. From Evergreen to Edible: 1/8 of an Acre, Eden’ed

25. Arborvitae / Thuga [Thuja]
Box (wood) / [Buxus]
[Colorado] Blue Spruce; [Picea pungens]
Holly – [Ilex]; four popular ones are American (I.
opaca), English (I. aquifolium), Chinese (I.
cornuta) and Japanese (I. crenata)
Juniper bushes tall [Hollywood Juniper/Juniperus
chinensis 'Torulosa'] and medium Common juniper
/ Juniperus communis
Pine; [Pinus]
Weeds masquerading as lawn; olio of green ground
cover with some clover, zoyzia, fescue and others.
In the Beginning

26. Front / Street View
Rear / Left Side View
Rear / Porch View
 Arborvitae / Thuga (Thuja)
 Box(wood) / [Buxus]
 [Colorado] Blue Spruce; [Picea pungens]
 Holly – [Ilex]
 Juniper bushes [Juniperus ]
 Pine; [Pinus]
 Weeds masquerading as lawn; olio of green
ground cover with some clover, zoyzia,
fescue and others.

27. Transformational Themes:
 Possible
 Better by You
 Highest Value
 Keeping Harvested Goods
 Happiest
Modified from listing by Daniel Gasteiger

28. [DC’s] “RiverSmart Homes incentivizes
homeowners to adopt:
 Rain Barrels
 Shade Tree Planting
(edible choices: Paw Paw, Swamp White Oak, …)
 Rain Gardens
 BayScaping
 Pervious Pavers and Impervious Surface
Removal”
http://doee.dc.gov/service/riversmart-homes-overview
Leverage Experts/Programs

29. Paw Paw
Paw Paw
Swamp White Oak Rain Garden between

31. Effective Yield: RiverSmart Program
Improvement RS co$t MSRP
Shade Trees (3 @ $50/ea) $150 $450 *
Rain Barrels (2 @ $45/ea) $90 $600 *
Rain Garden
($75 fee waived)
$1,365
Total $240 $2,415
* Installation cost/s not included

32. From Expert to Individual
Text and pictures
showing
individual efforts
in garden
transformation

33. Failures: Apples, Gardenias
Successes: Small Fruits, Herbs
In Progress: Exotics, Trees,
and others….
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

34. Pest: Bagworms
[Thyridopteryx
ephemeraeformis]; pest with
a “personalized” petticoat
(uses plant for pupal casing)
Failures: Apples, Gardenias
The Bad (Bag!)

35. Failures:
(No harvestable fruit/nuts likely
and/or specimens died)
 Apples (Malus domesticus); aka, no fool
like a stubborn one; DC area invites
multitude of invertebrates/diseases to
enjoy your apples before you do.
(Empire, Columnar Red/Gold, Fuji)
 Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)

36. Successes: Small Fruits,
Herbs
Yellow raspberries
Lavender
Flowers
The Good

37. Successes: (Harvested fruit / nuts /
flowers, specimens living)
Interspersed Flowers:
Cumberland (False)
Rosemary (Conradina
verticillata)
Lavender (Lavandula; tree
box and pollinator pocket)
Carnations (Dianthus) Rosemary (Rosmarinus
officinalis)
Daffodils (Narcissus) Tulips (Tulipa)
Hyacinths (Hyacinthus
orientalis)
Crocus (Crocus sativus)
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

38. Bush Cherries (Prunus)
*Paw Paw (Asimina triloba);
planted by RiverSmart Program
Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa)
* Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor);
RS Program
Yellow raspberries (Rubus Idaeobatus);
cultivars: Double Gold, Kiwi Gold
Catmint (Nepeta racemosa Walker's Low)
Pollinator pocket
(Milkweed, coreopsis, Lily trees,
re-blooming German Iris)
Successes: (Harvested fruit / nuts /
flowers, specimens living)

39. In Progress: Exotics,
Trees, and others….
The Ugly

40. In Progress: (No harvestable fruit /
nuts yet, specimens living)
 Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum)
 Cranberries (Viburnum trilobum)
 Ligonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)
 Figs (Ficus carica)
 Alley of P (Plums, Pears,
Pecans, Paw Paw)

41. In Progress: (No harvestable fruit /
nuts or flowers, specimens living)
 Hazelnuts (Corylus avellana)
 Jostaberries (Ribes × nidigrolaria)
 Chestnuts (Castanea)
 Goji/Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)
 Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides
hispanica)
 Crocus (Crocus sativus)
4,500 crocus flowers ≈ 1 oz of saffron spice

42.  Learning more about
Horticulture: challenges,
concepts, and cultivars
 Over seeding lawn
 Mason bees (Osmia)
The Never Ending « Story »

43. Text, pictures & commentary:
R. Winkelbauer; rwinkelbauer@hotmail.com
VA Master Gardener, commenter & editor:
J. Speers
Weeder, proofreader & wonder worker:
S. Abraham
The views and opinions expressed in this PPT are strictly
those of the author. The contents have neither been
reviewed nor approved by UDC, CAUSES or the DC
Master Gardener Program.
Credits and Questions?

44. Encore / Lagniappe

45. Right Plant, Right Place
Anne Double Gold
Released by the cooperative breeding
program of MD, NJ, VA and WI, Anne
raspberry has special characteristics. Anne is
a large-fruited fall bearer that ripens at the
same time as Heritage. Fruit holds a pale
yellow color and is highly productive. Anne's
excellent size, appearance, and very sweet
flavor make it an excellent choice for a
yellow fall bearer.
Double Gold is a recent release by Dr.
Courtney Weber from Cornell
University. The deep blush, golden
champagne color berries are medium in size
and have a conic shape. They are
considered as having an excellent, sweet
flavor. The plant grows vigorously, suckers
freely, and shows tolerance to diseases.
Berry Color: Yellow
Berry Size: Large
Best in Zones: 4 - 7
Firmness: Firm
Flavor: Excellent
Freezing Quality: Good
Winter Hardy: Excellent
Berry Color: Golden
Berry Size: Large
Best in Zones: 5 - 7
Firmness: Firm
Flavor: Excellent
Freezing Quality: Good
Winter Hardy: Excellent
Descriptions: Nourse Farms catalog, 2017

46. Integrated Pest Management
Instead of “Spray & Pray”
1. Identify pests, their hosts and beneficial
organisms before taking action
2. Establish monitoring guidelines for each pest
species
3. Establish an action threshold for the pest
4. Evaluate and implement control tactics
5. Monitor, evaluate and document the results

47. Hemeris diffinis on Lonicera sempervirans
(coral honeysuckle)
This guide will help you choose native plants
for your landscape. Download the guide for
free from the site:
http://www.plantnovanatives.org/
Order a print copy for $8.50 (including
shipping) at
tinyurl.com/novanatives
Guide to Native Plants for Northern Virginia

48. Hemeris diffinis: “snowberry clearwing”
“hummingbird moth" or "flying lobster”
"These day-flying moths are
widespread in North America
[...] the adult hummingbird
moths feed on nectar from a
variety of flowers, but their
larvae [use] honeysuckle,
dogbane, or some members of
the rose family such as
hawthorn, cherries, and plums.
The adults [..] are most active,
in the summer when the bee
balms are in bloom. If you
have phlox (Phlox), beebalm
(Monarda), honeysuckle
(Lonicera) or verbena
(Verbena) you are also likely to
see these wonderful insects
visiting these flowers.“
https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/pollinators/pollinator-of-the-month/hummingbird_moth.shtml