Eastern boundary, before & after

Here’s an interesting comparison of Orange Field’s eastern boundary before and after we set to work with machetes (mine’s on the branch in the foreground). Both the southern and eastern boundaries are now clear of jungle though there are still quite a few roots to dig up and I have seven rather large fires to burn. But it’s all good and I’m looking forward to being able to enjoy my reward now – lots of creative planting.

We think work will begin on our house some time in August so the western and northern boundaries, plus the middle, of course, will all have to wait until after construction.

My pal (and mentor), Roy Ormond of Harmony Garden in Bellevue Chopin, is supplying me with a few interesting trees and shrubs to be getting on with: jack fruit, mangosteen, cinnamon, coffee, and a few tree ferns. I have one nutmeg in place already and I’m going to add another (they say you should always plant two, just in case one doesn’t bear fruit). I also have a couple of dwarf coconuts and heliconia cuttings all waiting to go in.