[In-house branch cultivation] Flowery trees and various spring delicacies found deep within abandoned farmland. Toyooka Village's branch cultivation enters its third year!

I'm Hasegawa, cultivating ornamental branches in Toyooka Village, Nagano Prefecture.

The land reclamation at the site introduced in the March issue has finally reached a good stopping point. I'm truly grateful for all the help I received from the villagers again this time.

The site introduced in the March issue

We don't waste the felled trees!

Thicker pieces are used for wood stoves, thinner ones go to asparagus farmers, and the rest is finely crushed to fertilize the fields.

(Apparently, when starting asparagus cultivation, burying fresh branches under the field allows them to decompose over several years and become fertilizer.)

Currently, I'm challenging myself to reclaim the innermost part of Kyozukahara, which has been untouched for a long time!

First, we cleared the blocked road. In the forest beyond the road, there were flowering trees like mountain cherry and plum.

Forest spreading beyond the road

As I cleared away wild roses and wisteria, butterbur sprouts appeared. And there were three patches of them! I also found angelica tree sprouts and wild chives, so I won't have any trouble with spring delicacies (lol).

Butterbur sprouts popping up

Hasegawa tackling wisteria vines

Speaking of seasonal delicacies, I've planted plums, nectarines, apricots, raspberries, and more all over the fields, and I'm gradually tending to them as "my secret pleasure."

In February, I also tried severe pruning of Contorted Willow and Russian Olive.

It took courage to cut trees that had grown to 1-2 meters, but it's an essential task for cultivating ornamental branches.

Contorted Willow sprouting

Russian Olive sprouting

Despite my worries that they might die, new shoots fully emerged in spring, and I couldn't help but exclaim, "Well done!"

I will continue to make steady progress, step by step, so please continue to support me!