Ecological Gardening

Lesson 4: Completing the Design

The Last Step

Here’s a question you already know the answer to: what trees are already on your property?

If the answer is none, what trees do you plan on planting?

Now here’s a question you may not know the answer to: what other plants are able to live in harmony with the existing or planned trees on your property? If you have not completed your research into the plant guild which best suits either the existing trees or the trees you plan to plant, now is the time to do so.

If there are no trees on the property then you need to know what you want to plant where, why and how. There is no sense picking a tree if it only serves one function unless you can plant it along with other plants which will help the tree thrive and meet other needs. For example, you may select a tree for shade because underneath will grow plants which provide food for yourself and food and shelter for other creatures. This way you have created a multi-function plant community.

Make sure that the tree or trees you select fit the space you have. Find out all you can about your possible choices. Does the tree have shallow or deep roots? How far spread does the root system extend? How tall will the tree grow? How many years will the tree live? When does it seed and how are the seeds dispersed? What animals and insects find food and shelter there?

If there is a local forestry office in your area ask them for some information. You can also visit the public library. Knowledge makes all the difference between a thriving community and one that languishes.

The first phase of the clearcut restoration project that I referred toearlier is a test site to experiment with ways to regenerate a forest. One technique we will be using is the seedball method.

For more information on seedball, visit http://www.seedballs.com

Once we have completed this experiment or more accurately as it progresses we will create a guild based upon the plants mentioned in module six near the house. This is a 160 acre site.

Our main focus is on reestablishing red and jack pine as well as white spruce on the property. These are species native to the region and are what the owner wants. An important part of permaculture work is to find out what the land wants. There is an old saying that goes like this, a permaculture designer has two clients: the person currently inhabiting the site and the land itself.

Resources:

http://bungala.beverleypaine.com/energyh...

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