Growing Community in Southwest Michigan
Oikos Tree Crops is a national treasure of temperate-climate permaculture plants, and we are very lucky to have them right in our area (Lawton). While they are not a retail nursery—they do not let people go there and “shop” or take tours, on account of it being a mail-order / internet business staffed by...
Grandpa’s Orchard is a local (Coloma, MI) nursery that sells a good variety of grafted fruit trees, specializing in apples, peaches, plums, pears, cherries, apricots, etc. Group members have reported that their plants are of very high quality. From their site: Grandpa’s Orchard® is your home for the biggest selection of bareroot fruit trees...
Hidden Savanna specializes in SW Michigan genotype native plants—prairie species, wildflowers, woodland herbs, and more. From their site: We are located in southwest Michigan and sell plants that are native to our region. We offer a wide range of species… from sand dunes to wetlands, and from forests to prairies, we have the plants...
A local (Grand Junction, MI) nursery which sells both wholesale and retail, specializing in blueberries, cane fruit, strawberries, and other fruiting shrubs. They also sell a few figs, pawpaws, persimmons, chestnuts, hazelnuts, and more. Definitely worth a look. Check out their offerings here: http://www.hartmannsplantcompany.com
Amy and John hosted our group at their CSA/farm (Harvest of Joy) in Shelbyville. We had a great turnout despite the cold, cold weather. Good to see a lot of familiar faces and also new friends made at the MI Permaculture Convergence a month ago. Thanks to all who showed up and esp. to...
Spirit Springs Farm in Marcellus, MI has over 80 varieties of heritage apples growing, and our small group was very lucky to have a short tour and sampling of dozens of varieties. I got some ideas about some varieties I’d like to grow. Call them at 269-624-1301 for their seasonal hours, very nice people...
We had an action-packed weekend in September, starting with a potluck get-together and tour of Dale and Tomme’s gardens in Kalamazoo on Friday evening. Saturday Bill Wilson of Midwest Permaculture gave an excellent Intro to Permaculture class at the Nature Center, and Sunday we had a booth at the always-fun Harvest Festival at Tiller’s...
Norm and Rita were gracious enough to lead me on a plant walk around their beautiful property in SW Michigan, where I could see the plants and trees in late summer of 2010. Thanks for a lovely and informative tour!
Sam and PJ traveled north to take part in a weekend workshop. We missed the beginning of this (foundation and rebar/lath wall construction), but here are some photos from 2 days spent plastering the walls and making the rebar roof portion. Really inspiring process and super-nice group of people…not to mention great weather and...
