Columnar Apple Trees are perfect for small gardens
Jim Gilbert of One Green World is on a mission to see fruit trees in every yard. “Fruit trees aren’t difficult to grow, if you know what you’re doing. We have trees to suit every level of gardener expertise from novice to expert,” Jim said.
If you’re scratching your head about the fruit trees, the answer is simple. If you grow your own, you don’t have to buy imported and transported fruit from the store. In today’s increasingly energy dependent and depleted society, not spending fuel on moving fruit from place-to-place just makes sense. Besides, homegrown fruit just tastes better.
A quick visit to their website and you’ll be amazed at the unique and unusual plant and tree offerings at One Green World. There you’ll see the old standbys, such as the Oregon Grape and Salmonberry, but Jim isn’t content only using plants and trees that traditionally grow in the Northwest. He’s passionate about introducing people to species that can thrive in the Portland, Oregon climate, but are native to other parts of the U.S. and other countries.
One example is the fig (which, Jim insists, is his absolute favorite fruit to eat). Figs grow in temperate climates – think Mediterranean – which makes it the perfect candidate for growing in Portland backyards.
Sea Berry
Another unusual, but useful, plant is the Sea Berry Hippophae rhamnoides . Native to Asia, this edible berry needs a bit of sugar to be palatable. But it’s chock full of Vitamins C, E and A, making it a truly healthful addition to your diet. It’s easy to grow, too, a big plus if you have a black thumb when it comes to growing things.
Jim loves this plant so much that staff have attended three international Sea Berry conferences. (Who would have thought a plant could have its own conference?)
In case you’re wondering about the energy costs to transport these non-native plants, it’s negligible. One Green World grows its own stock, so you’re guaranteed plants and trees you buy are healthy, well-cared for and of superior quality. Plus they don’t need a passport to get into the U.S.
One Green World never uses pesticides which means the plants you buy aren’t full of chemical residue.
Jim is proud that One Green World (and its companion wholesale company, Northwoods Nursery) is the ONLY nursery in Oregon to achiev “Salmon Safe” certification. “Basically, we were just certified for doing what we were already doing,” he noted.
The Salmon Safe Program (www.salmonsafe.org) recognizes companies that do their part in protecting the environment (and thereby supporting healthy streams and rivers where the salmon live) by looking at a variety of components. These include the assessment of riparian/wetland areas, irrigation water use and management, erosion and sediment control, fertility and pest management and biological diversity conservation.
One Green World was recognized for saving water by using drip irrigation and mulching, preventing erosion by using cover crops between tree rows and on fallow fields, using natural methods to control weeds and pests and maintaining at least 50 foot setbacks from streams, providing a vegetated riparian buffer zone.
Jim insists the benefits of this certification outweigh the hassle of maintaining the organization’s strict requirements. “We were already doing these things – in fact, some areas, like in our riparian buffer zones, we’ve made them wider than they need to be.” The area is a pristine buffer between the nursery crops and any waterways running through the property. At One Green World’s facility, 50 feet is the minimum. Many buffers are much larger – up to twice as wide as is necessary.
Not part of the Salmon Safe requirements, but another example of One Green World’s environmental stewardship, is their use of B99 biodiesel in all their trucks and tractors. Biodiesel is a renewable, biodegradable and non-toxic resource that creates a healthy work environment and reduces dependency on foreign oil. Bicycles and electric scooters are also used for moving around the 66-acre facility.
Jim may not see his goal of a fruit tree in every yard, but the example his retail and wholesale nurseries set is indicative of his respect and appreciation for our beautiful planet. His desire to introduce useful and non-invasive non-native plants and trees exemplifies his vision – to create and live in One Green World.
You really need to visit One Green World to experience all they have to offer. They’ll be at the Better Living Show where you can see many of these sustainable and healthful trees yourself.
