Blog
Now Hiring – Agroforestry Manager
Job Description Arthur’s Point Farm is hiring an Agroforestry Manager to expand our orchards and other agroforestry systems, and to manage ecological restoration areas (forests, riparian zones, and pollinator habitats) around the farm. A rapidly changing climate and broad ecological degradation call for new approaches to agriculture and land
Planting Native Perennials in Late Summer to Early Fall
Should You Plant in Late Summer or Early Fall? Spring is often considered the ideal planting season for native perennials, as it provides the plants with the longest period to establish, root, and grow within a single season. But, it’s also possible to plant successfully throughout the summer
Combatting Invasive Plants With Native Perennials
How to Remove Invasives Naturally Eliminating invasive plants without the use of harmful herbicides is a perpetual challenge for gardeners and landscapers. Invasive species are defined as “not native to a particular ecosystem and whose introduction causes, or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm
How To Grow Vigorous and Healthy Potted Plants
Orange Coneflower, Rudbeckia fulgida Spotted Bee Balm, Monarda puntata Anise hyssop, Agastache foeniculum Did you ever wonder about all of the plastic pots we use to green the world around us? Not only are we creating a huge waste stream, but plastic nursery pots also harm the plants
Our Favorite Elderberry Varieties for the Northeast
Watch Arthur’s Point Farm Manager, Emerson Martin, explain the characteristics of our favorite four elderberry varieties propagated at our nursery in Ghent, NY. Adams, Bob Gordon, Pocahontas and Arthur’s Point Select are sold in our nursery shop as bare-root plants and in 2 gallon root pouches. Shop for
Hedgerows – Letting Nature In
What’s a Hedgerow? Hedgerows are having a moment due to growing interest in sustainable farming and ecological stewardship. They simultaneously serve many different purposes and have existed in agricultural landscapes for millennia. The USDA defines a hedgerow as the “establishment of dense vegetation in a linear design to achieve a
Beyond Pecan – Shagbark, Shellbark and Other Hickories
Most Americans are familiar with the delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-crack nut of the Northern Pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis). It’s an integral part of our diet and the most common commercial native nut tree in the U.S. Pecan nuts ripening on the tree Shelled pecan ready to eat But many people don’t
What Trees Are Climate-Resilient in My Region?
Ecological shifts from climate change are occurring more rapidly and significantly than forests can adapt. The unnatural speed of change demands active, large-scale planting of a biodiverse selection of climate-resilient tree species capable of adapting to the changing environment. The U.S. Forest Service’s Climate Change Tree Atlas is a great
Where’s Winter? Climate Zones Are Shifting
Climate change is shifting ecological plant hardiness zones. The USDA has updated its Plant Hardiness Zone Map for the first time since 2012. Most of New York’s Hudson Valley has shifted from Zone 5b to Zone 6a (see map below). This means the lowest winter temperature recorded over
Spicebush – Wild Allspice for Your Woodland Garden
Every autumn, when we dig up our spicebush seedlings, we are struck by the strong pleasant aroma of the fibrous root systems (as well as all other parts of the plant). Spicebush has many favorable qualities which explain its growing popularity as a native ornamental shrub in cultivated gardens.
How to Plant from Fabric Root-Prune Pouches
How to plant a tree or wildflower from a fabric root-prune pouch is different than planting from a plastic pot. The fabric pot allows for the roots to grow into the fabric where the fine roots are pruned rather than forced into unhealthy circling that occurs in an impermeable plastic
Propagating Trees from Cuttings
Propagating trees from cuttings is an easy and economical way to grow lots of native trees. You can grow hundreds of trees from foot-long branches of willow, elderberry, dogwood, currants, and more. Pretty amazing, when you stop and think about it! We sell cuttings for spring planting if
Grafting a Plum Tree (Alderman x Prunus americana)
Demonstrating how to graft a fruit tree with Alderman on Prunus Americana rootstock. Alderman plum is extremely cold hardy and produces big, dark red, sweet, juicy fruit that ripens in July. Visit Our Nursery Store Shop Trees
Harnessing Nature to Stabilize the Climate and Adapt to Change
Whatever you think of climate change projections, the impacts of extreme weather are evident: tropical cyclones in Alaska, arctic blasts, killer heat waves, extreme droughts, 500-year floods, mega wildfires, and life-threatening blizzards. The number of natural disasters has increased fivefold over the last 50 years, with economic losses increasing sevenfold. The costs to our health and safety,
A Conversation about Agroforestry and Biochar for Ecological Restoration and Resilience
We sat down recently with our friends at the Nature Calls podcast at Cornell Cooperative Extension to talk about the use of agroforestry and biochar for ecological restoration and climate resilience. Have a listen and check out more than four dozen other timely conversations below: Agroforestry Agroforestry integrates trees and other perennial plants
American Persimmon – Eating the Fruit of the Gods
The Latin name for Persimmon, Diospyros, literally means “divine fruit.” So it’s no surprise that it was a staple of Native American orchards for centuries. Yet many of us have never tasted this delicious native fruit! Why isn’t American Persimmon more common today? And what makes it so
Biochar Bill Would Allocate $250 Million
The recently introduced Biochar Research Network Act would establish a national network of up to 20 research centers to expand the production and use of biochar to improve soils and accelerate natural climate solutions. The work of the proposed research centers would focus on improving crop yields and
Biochar Agroforestry Research Project Launched
We are excited to announce the launch of a new biochar agroforestry research project thanks to the generous support of the USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. The grant supports the exploration and promotion of “novel approaches” to productive agricultural systems that enhance the ecosystems in
Oak: An Ecological Powerhouse
Oak trees produce acorns. Acorns have nourished insects, animals, and people for at least 25 million years. About 600 different oak species span the globe, from northern temperate forests to high elevation tropical cloud forests. Quercus is the largest genera of tree in the Northern Hemisphere, with the
Honey Locust: Loved by Livestock and People Alike
Honey locust are ideal silvopasture trees that can transform open farmland or degraded woodlands into prime pasture for livestock, while also enhancing the biodiversity and resilience of working lands. In a time of impending climate change, trees are powerful and accessible tools for pulling carbon out of the