10 Comments
May 6·edited May 6Liked by Vanessa Chakour

Beautiful, succinct, undeniably practical and heartfelt, thank you for this sister.

I touched on some species (which provide food and medicine while looking overtly "ornamental" to the untrained brainwashed eye) which I like to incorporate into front yard garden designs for those dealing with particularly fascistic HAOs and neighbors in this post:

https://gavinmounsey.substack.com/p/covert-food-gardening-in-the-era?

I also highly suggest the following species for pollinators and the amazing gifts they simultaneously provide to their human hosts:

- https://gavinmounsey.substack.com/p/serviceberry?

- https://gavinmounsey.substack.com/p/agastache-foeniculum-aka-anise-hyssop?

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Thank you, Gavin! I'm always grateful for your thoughtful comments, posts and shares. I look forward to reading your posts. Thank you too, for educating people on behalf of our wild kin. 🐝

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I am glad you enjoy the content.

Random Question: Do you guys have any Paw Paw trees in the Mount Owen Forest Sanctuary?

I am seeing an epic 2024 harvest on the horizon for our couple trees so if you guys wanna try growing out some seeds I can share.

Honored to walk this path along side you sister.

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I wish we had Paw Paw trees! If you'd like to share some seeds, would love it. Thank you.

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May 8·edited May 8Liked by Vanessa Chakour

I have been out paint brushing blossoms on our two paw paw trees the last few days to ensure we get a good fruit set given our limited space and the unusual pollinators they require and I have seen a few flowers now dropping their petals and revealing a baby fruit forming so I will likely have some seeds to share with you guys come september-ish when they ripen up.

I`ll let you know when I start harvesting.

I find that air pruning beds are great for starting seeds for species like Paw Paw that have a taproot. Have you ever used one/heard of the technique?

I am happy to share seeds when I can (especially those from endangered/threatened species that can provide so much food and habitat for human and non-human beings).

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Hi Vanessa!

I am harvesting and feasting on lots of ripe pawpaws from our trees and so I can send you some seeds now if you are still interested. If so, please send your preferred mailing address to : recipesforreciprocity@proton.me

Btw, Congrats on the publication of Earthly Bodies, I had my copy pre-ordered for a while now and I just got a notification that barns and noble has shipped a copy fresh off the presses my way! I am excited to dig in.

Happy fall foraging and may the autumn colors provide much nourishment for the spirit.

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Keep up the great inspiration, education motivation, for the living ecosystem! <3

Letting you know there is an entire "kill your lawn" movement active on YT, the NYT did a video essay & Dr botanist Tony "Crime Pays but Botany Doesn't" channel gives detailed lessons:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anpuSnAM5o8&ab_channel=CrimePaysButBotanyDoesn%27t

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I'm so happy to know my efforts are resonating (and hopefully, helping people consider their local ecosystems and wider world in their choices and practices). Thank you so much for the link! I look forward to checking it out. 🌱

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May 5Liked by Vanessa Chakour

Love this! I shared a “before and after” of our wild lawn. https://open.substack.com/pub/shriekingcactus/p/this-is-my-garden-this-is-my-garden?r=1zwm0&utm_medium=ios

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I just read your post! I love your weird, beautiful living lawn. Seeing a pollinator within 10 seconds should be the goal for all. 🐝

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