Blake Wheeler wrote:The idea of a guild isn't set in stone, it's just grouping plants that can be of benefit together. You're on the right track. Like a bush underneath the fig that requires a little less light, thus the fig leaves shield it. Groundcover to hold in moisture....you get the idea.
I can't honestly say about figs, they don't do particularly well here. Actually have a Chicago hardy fig that may have been killed off from some unseasonably cold weather we got.
Not sure how much use a guild would be to the actual tree though. Figs are drought tolerant as is, and I'm not aware of particular pest pressures they would face. Not to mention they're not pollinated by bees (flys or small wasps I think) so bring in pollinators isn't much of an issue either. The guild in this case would serve more to benefit the other plants and cram more into less space I would think.
Brandon Greer wrote:Thanks again. Thanks to your info, I feel like I got a pretty good understanding and feel a bit more comfortable getting started.
I was reading that planting trees is best done in the fall. Is that right?
When should I start preparing the area? I have a pretty good source for compost, so I just plan to get it started by bringing some of that in. Do I just plant everything else the same time I put the tree in or should I get something else in the ground before the trees are put in?
Douglas Crouch wrote:Here is my article on the principle of diversity which covers guilds in the Introduction to Permaculture book from Mollison.
https://treeyopermacultureedu.wordpress.com/chapter-2-3-or-the-11-design-principles-from-the-intro-book/diversity-guilds/
I like to mix and match based on function and apply a pattern. i rely on what i can easily propagate or have laying around my nursery in the moment.
tree planting is usually done during fall or late winter. depends as always on your climate and your desires around summer management, irrigation, and if you are planting bare root or not. You can get nitrogen fixers going on the outside of guild and i put everything in at once unless i am planting into tough rhizominous grasses in which i sheet mulch heavily for a period, usually 6 months, then drop the plants in. no fun weeding.
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