Hello permies,
I apologize in advance if there is a
thread on this topic that I missed during my search of the forums. Please direct me to any previous conversations on this subject if there are any.
My inquiry:
I will be moving from an established food forest farm in south-central Kentucky to an
acre plot on Chuckanut Bay in Bellingham, WA, and am curious about the cultivars of primarily
native fruit/nut-producing perennials that would succeed in this new-to-me PNW climate. I
should note that our property is approximately 50 meters away from the
water's edge and has a south to southwest facing slope that takes up a 1/4 of the property. I'm anticipating planting the majority of trees/bushes in swales on the lower, flatter, south-western side of the property that is partially shaded by neighboring conifers. I'll try planting the majority of my annuals in hugelterraces on the sunny slope. The
swale portion on the flatter area should receive ample water in the wet season and is within reach of a water hose should irrigation be necessary during the dry season.
I'd especially be interested in knowing the PNW-friendly cultivars for the following species (if there are any specific ones):
- Elderberry
- Seaberry
- Currant
- Mulberry
- Fig
- Serviceberry
- Hazelnut
-
Apple
- Pear
- Cherry
- Blueberry
- Blackberry (they are already prominent on the property)
- Paw-paws
- Persimmons
- Strawberries (biennial, not
perennial perse)
- Chokeberry
I'm aware that the coastal setting makes fungal-resistant varieties prefferable, if not necessary. Apples, pears, and cherries may be too susceptible to such issues to make them viable options. Has anyone had exceptional success with any above-mentioned or other particular fruit/nut-producing perennials in the PNW?
I am also interested in hedging the road-side portion of the property with native conifers, perhaps hemlock and staggering them with a faster-growing species. Any suggestions? This would be more for privacy than a windbreak since the wind comes from the western side of the property nearest the water.
Thanks in advance for your time and help! I feel a bit like I'm out of my element having been an inlander my whole life.
One last request:
When I was planting a food forest in Kentucky, I sourced native saplings through the Missouri State Nursery. They were extremely healthy saplings and super inexpensive. I recommend them for anyone in the eastern broadleaf forest region. Does anyone have a source for healthy and inexpensive native
fruit and nut saplings in the PNW area?
Thanks again!
Meg Harris
Event coordinator, Radicle Gathering
Meagan.harris647@topper.wku.edu
www.radiclegathering.com