Friday, March 30, 2012

Black Walnut Limitations

After the horrible realization that I was going to have to re-plan my entire edible landscape, I decided that I needed to find a bit of a pick-me-up.  Black Walnut Toxicity isn't the worst possible discovery that could be made, but it was a definite downer.  I needed to find information that would bring my excitement back.

Researching and sifting through information has been started, and I feel ready to take this challenge on.  Black Walnuts, after all, are native to the area, and there are many native plants that are edible.  That being said, there should be plenty that can coexist with it.



Raspberries are tolerant of Black Walnut.  I already knew this, since I have raspberries growing all over the wild portion of the yard, but it helps to have it confirmed.  I've also discovered that Parsnips are workable, which is great, since I've used parsnips in recipes, both as necessary ingredients and as a substitution for daikon radishes.  Speaking of radishes, I can plant those, as well!  Evidently, they work quite well.  Score!

As far as vines are concerned, I have two choices.  I can go with a tolerant flowering variety, such as honeysuckle or clematis, or I can hope that the vines that I found at the very back fence are wild grape.


Fat chance of that!  I used to grow grapes, and the leaves don't look even the slightest bit similar. As far as fruit-bearing vines go, wild grape is the only one I've discovered that can handle the black walnut.  This is clearly something else.  Any ideas? 

At least I'll be able to plant my peppermint.  It appears that it's resistant to black walnut's phytotoxin.  Not much has come to my attention in the herb department, though.  I found bee balm, which is great, but not exactly something I'm going to eat.

If I decide to border my garden plots with bushes I can choose currants!  MMMmmm!  Currant jelly is my favorite.  Black or red, it doesn't matter.  I love them equally

So much to do, so much to plan.  I feel my excitement with this project returning!

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