Crabapples and Camas: Alley Cropping at Northwest Meadowscapes

Crabapples and Camas: Alley Cropping at Northwest Meadowscapes

Twenty years ago, Eric Lee-Mäder found a strange-looking bottle in a wine shop that would end up changing the course of his life. The French cider inside was unlike anything he’d ever tasted.

“It was much more complex than sweet,” Eric said. “I got a sense of the whole orchard, from the bloom of the apple tree to the fungus growing in the understory.”

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Fruit to Nuts: Raising Cane Ranch’s Food Forest

Fruit to Nuts: Raising Cane Ranch’s Food Forest

Tucked towards the back of Raising Cane Ranch, beyond their farm stand and Highland cows, you’ll find a food forest filled with chestnut, walnut, and hazelnut trees, black currants, evergreen huckleberries, and aronia berries.

“It’s one of the most peaceful places on the property,” says farm owner, Nick Pate. “I just love working out there.”

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Fruit Trees Will Soothe Your Spirit and Brighten Your Mind

Fruit Trees Will Soothe Your Spirit and Brighten Your Mind

Many people forget about fruit trees when they are planning out their yards, but they should not be overlooked. They are so simple, so rewarding, and so beautiful. They represent our most ancient connection to the bounty of nature. They are fun to work on, soothing to look at, and their personalities are all so different.

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