Summer Solstice — The first early spring transplanted sapling bed is weeded! These gangly looking young trees are black walnut, the seeds were gathered under a giant old tree in Greenfield Massachusetts. Although weeding would be quick and easy with an application of Earth war chemicals, this technique is manual. When weeds are large like this, the soil is first gently broken up with a narrow trenching shovel and then a hand weeding tool is used, it is pictured leaning against the shovel blade. The hand weeding tool is a steel copy of a portion of deer antler that was used in early pre capitalist agriculture.

Mid May and the Douglas fir as well as some chestnut, sweet/black birch and kentucky yellow wood are germinated. Transplanting work is progressing in the nursery beds. Summer heat is about to happen and all seeds need to be be planted soon. I bought an old corn planter and hope to try it out if all the tree seeds are planted soon enough.

Mid April and the seed beds are all ready— Rams are out of their winter paddock and happily grazing early greenery.

January began 2026 work with Forestry and conifers plus small-seeded hardwood varieties.

Vigorous seedlings summer 2025 from old tree below. Sweet nuts are delicious raw.

Fall 2025 - Reduced seed harvest from this tree due to increased squirrel population.

Seeds from local Chestnuts are selected local survivors of the early 1900s Chestnut blight (example shown below). Seeds of many varieties, including Chestnut, are also purchased from reputable suppliers.

Ready to plant when ground thaws in spring; Good tasting chestnuts from healthy tree above.