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In New Hampshire fields with poor soil are sometimes colonized by the invasive Autumn Olive (Japanese silverberry). I knew they fixed nitrogen, so I figured I w
by simonsarris 6y ago
In New Hampshire fields with poor soil are sometimes colonized by the invasive Autumn Olive (Japanese silverberry). I knew they fixed nitrogen, so I figured I would cut them down later, and I created a chicken coop next to one to shade it until I replaced it with something else.
It turns out not only does it fix nitrogen, it improves the yields of nearby plants (in this case blueberries) and its fruit is edible to both me and the chickens. So it gets to stay after all. I'm glad I looked it up.
- superkuh 6y agoI was suprised at how difficult it was to get the "invasive" autumn olive going. I've tried from seed a handful of times and I've never had them germinate. Did you do anything special? I tried cold stratifying for a couple months with no difference.
- simonsarris 6y agoUnfortunately I cannot help, I did nothing special as they were here since I bought the property
- foxhop 6y agodig a small one up from the forest and plant it at your house, or just wait for it to show up. Dig up a 1-2 foot specimen. Take a few so you have a couple chances. I have 5 shrubs at my house and I'd identified at least 10 different stands of this plant in my locale. Birds spread the seed which love to take over space after humans destory the ecosystem. They grow about 9-15 feet high, the berries are delicious but a bit astringent, meaning they make your mouth feel dry.