![thumb](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/berries-1.jpg)

This past weekend, Aimee, the twins and I went back to my parents to visit and grab some things from the tiny house. In conversation, my stepmother mentioned that we had Saskatoons to pick. A couple of seconds passed before I clued in that she meant in **the test plot**! With everything going on this year, I haven't even really thought about it let alone tended to it. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect but I was eager to check it out.

One aspect that is great about permaculture systems is that, even when neglected, they can be highly productive. The test plot didn't disappoint. Despite the grasses and other weeds that had taken over some of the smaller herbs since I started neglecting it last year, there was still plenty of progress and abundance. 

Aimee did a **[post yesterday](https://steemit.com/homesteading/@canadianrenegade/tea-from-the-garden-a-bounty-of-comfrey)** on some herbs we collected  to make a tea and, of course, there was also the Saskatoons! That wasn't the most impressive thing about the test plot though; **It was the growth of the sea buckthorns that really caught my eye!**

# Take a Walk with Me Through the Test Plot

<center>![plot](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Plot.jpg)*I planted the test plot three years ago. It looks like a disorganized jumble of plants and that was sort of the point. It was just a place for me to experiment with different herbs and shrubs. On the left, you can see the sea buckthorn starting to tower over the other plants.*</center>

<center>![hazel](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/hazelandsask.jpg)***Left:** This small hazel shrub seems to be doing well. It died back to the ground the first winter after I planted it, but looks like it has since recovered. **Right:** This is the first year the Northline Saskatoons have been highly productive. They are still stunted from being browsed down multiple times by deer.*</center>

<center>![comfrey](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ComfreyDense.jpg)*Comfrey is one of the few herbs that will out compete pasture grasses. This clump is proof of that!*</center>

<center>![Artichoke](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Artichoke.jpg)*Jerusalem Artichokes planted in a row on the North side of the plot.*</center>

<center>![good](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/height.jpg)*The sea buckthorn are really starting to take off. The one just to my right probably grew about a foot this year. The next one over though was still quite short last year and has grown about 2 feet this year so far!*</center>

**Remember the [Sea Spikebush?](https://steemit.com/homesteading/@canadianrenegade/sea-spikebush-and-overwintered-plants)** That is what I called one of the sea buckthorn bushes that started growing huge spikes after being browsed repeatedly by dastardly deer.

<center>![spike](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SeaSpike.jpg)*4" thorns are no joke! So far this year it looks like the deer have left it alone.*</center>

<center>![female](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Female.jpg)*It turns out the Sea Spikebush is a female! There were a few solitary berries on it this year.*</center>

<center>![Bugs](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/bugs.jpg)*I even ran into a few critters! **Left:** Something was nibbling on quite a few of the Saskatoons and I think this little green maggot looking thing is the culprit! Luckily only about 10% of the berries seemed to be affected. **Right:** I also sort of stumbled onto this hornet collecting some wood, presumably for a nest. I could actually hear it munching away!*</center>

<center>![berries](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SaskatoonsBowl_O7A9015.jpg)*Time to enjoy the spoils of war... err nature! These are some fat and tasty berries. I would recommend Northline Saskatoons.*</center>

<center>![cream](http://www.canadianrenegade.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/SaskatoonsCream_O7A9046.jpg)*Berries and cream. One of my favorite treats! Too bad I won't be able to share with you. 🙄*</center>

I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did. It should be Interesting to see what happens with the test plot over the next few years. Some of the plants will be transplanted to our new property but I think I will be leaving the trees for my parents to enjoy.

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