One thing I’ve been thinking about is what the landscaping would look like on the farm. Obviously, I don’t have a farm yet; but I have been through the Master Gardener training in Indiana. I like the idea of having a hedge. It would be a fence that would not require electricity, it would (hopefully) require minimal repair, and would attract helpful wildlife, like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. I do enjoy hummingbirds especially; I keep a feeder in front of my house into November so that later migrants can still have a spot to stop and eat. They’re enjoyable to watch; and are excellent pollinators.
Based on my preliminary research, dogwood, chickweed and honey locust may work. I’m continuing research to confirm whether lemon balm would be an option. This is something I already grow in my garden; it does well and comes back every year. I’m also considering willow, because I found a few captivating Pinterest posts that showed willow as a natural fence for cattle and as an attractive fence in general. Cuttings can be purchased, shoved into the ground and woven together. I like the look of it.
Genesis 1:11-12 (NASB) states: “Then God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit according to their kind with seed in them”; and it was so. The earth produced vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their kind, and trees bearing fruit with seed in them, according to their kind; and God saw that it was good.” This would grow quickly and would not involve paying an electrical bill. It would need to be maintained though; or it could get out of hand. Personally, I find hedges to be very appealing.
1 Corinthians 3:7-9 (NASB) states: “So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” This would involve labor; but gardening and horticulture are fields of employment. In some YouTube videos I’ve seen regarding recommendations for hedges; the farmer doesn’t necessarily just plant a row of bush. One recommends planting an inedible row next to the road, a tree, and then it is possible to plant edible herbs and vegetables that enjoy shade; such as lettuce, spinach and broccoli. Lemon balm may work too; in my experience it’s quite hardy. I have enjoyed using it to make tea or in a salad. It is also possible to prune it sharply and spread the branches on the ground as natural compost; it adds a nice citrus scent to the air.
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