My mentor: I wanna do a wall garden, because it doesnt take up too much space
Me, already vibrating from the dopamine and adrenaline: Let's talk about espaliers
okay, so espaliers are beyond sexy, they are so unbelievably productive
The basics are just... pruning growing trees so they are more 2 dimensional, usually placed against walls. It takes a few years to form/ raise, but they are much easier to maintain than free growing trees in the long run.
(source)
Not only is it more accessible, easier to harvest fruit, but the design has a double purpose; the walls hold and release heat that can keep warm-weathered plants alive during Northen winters!
We are being told to eat local and seasonal food, either because other crops have been tranported over long distances, or because they are g
There are people who use this method to grow avocado, fig, etc trees outdoors without electricity in -20C weather.
A similar technique to espalier can be used to grow furniture without killing the tree!
Are there different espalier shapes that work better for different things, or is it just aesthetic and pretty?
