Re-emergence of an agricultural experience.
The photo above is of The Issacson Grainary in Downtown Morgan Hill about 50-60 years ago. For at least the past 60-100 years Depot Street next to the tracks has been hard-packed asphalt paving, rock and concrete.
The valley, where Morgan Hill is located, was one of richest in the world and was known as “the Valley of Hearts’ Delight.” Curious about whether the soil was still as rich beneath the drain rock, asphalt and concrete, we drilled 18″ holes in the roadway and planted French Prunes, Blenheim Apricots, Black Mission Figs and Crabapples.
Looking to link back to a historical context of sustainability where the temperate climate with just the right chill factor produced incredible quantities of the highest quality fruit, we planted with the thought of reconnecting with that past and looking toward an opportunity in the future. The trees are not sprayed and are fertilized 2 x per year with an organic fertilizer. Ladybugs are the only pest control, each year the aphid level is reducing and the health of the trees is increasing. This will be the 4th year since planing 5 gal trees.
Was the soil still one of the best in the world, what was the effect of development?
See the progression..
The building had been derelict for 8 years- note the parking area and roadway
The trees planted with drip irrigation after 2 years.
Fava, Poppies, Mustard and French Prune
Lesley is the President and co-principal of Weston Miles Architects, a sustainable design firm located in downtown Morgan Hill, CA. A licensed architect, she also has significant expertise in sustainable agriculture. She loves giving tours and workshops at The Granary to help spread the knowledge of how to touch the earth lightly.
Just a little background….I trained in 1975 with Warren Pierce, at Ecology Action in Santa Barbara California in preparation for a 2 year stint in Guatemala. The program was the first Sustainable Agriculture program to address organic farming in developing countries on a village level.
The 6 month intensive training program in Sustainable agriculture was based on Alan Chadwick’s principles. Warren Pierce had trained with Mr. Chadwick, for 5 years in French Intensive Biodynamic Gardening, a synthesis of French market farming and Rudolf Steiner’s Biodynamic Farming concepts.
I then spent 2 years in the low-land jungles of Guatemala growing vegetables organically, selling seeds, giving classes and testing out the methods in the Ixcan. The program morphed to focus on to a level of development sustainability incorporating concepts that were similar to Permaculture. Fruit, nut and hardwood trees became an integral part of the garden, expanding the vegetable garden to a more integrated ecosystem. In the lowland tropics removal of large trees and exposure of the soil rapidly leads to soil leaching of nutrients, the integrated method allowed for a continued mulching of the forest floor, maintenance of nutrients and development of humus.
My goodness, you must come from a very bright family–you’ve done so much so well.
Really is a great site,Lesley. Fun to read everything–got a kick out of Hoagy and Katie doing the pruning. Didn’t have to cut & paste.
yes and they have very bright kids too