7.4 Integrating understory and climber species
3 min read•august 7, 2024
Food forests thrive on diversity, and the understory plays a crucial role. By incorporating shade-tolerant edibles, nitrogen-fixers, and dynamic accumulators, we create a rich ecosystem beneath the canopy. These plants maximize space, improve soil health, and boost overall productivity.
Vertical integration takes food forests to new heights—literally. Vines and climbers make use of vertical space, while trellises and living fences add structure and function. Don't forget mushrooms! These fungi recycle nutrients and can be cultivated in shady spots, adding another dimension to your forest garden.
Understory Plants
Shade-Tolerant Edible Groundcovers
Top images from around the web for Shade-Tolerant Edible Groundcovers
Sweet Woodruff | Galium odoratum ... pretty ... and it grows… | Flickr View original
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Galium odoratum (Sweet woodruff) (Asperula odorata) View original
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Sweet Woodruff, up Close | Deb Nystrom | Flickr View original
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Sweet Woodruff | Galium odoratum ... pretty ... and it grows… | Flickr View original
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Galium odoratum (Sweet woodruff) (Asperula odorata) View original
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Top images from around the web for Shade-Tolerant Edible Groundcovers
Sweet Woodruff | Galium odoratum ... pretty ... and it grows… | Flickr View original
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Galium odoratum (Sweet woodruff) (Asperula odorata) View original
Is this image relevant?
Sweet Woodruff, up Close | Deb Nystrom | Flickr View original
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Sweet Woodruff | Galium odoratum ... pretty ... and it grows… | Flickr View original
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Galium odoratum (Sweet woodruff) (Asperula odorata) View original
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- Understory plants are well-suited for the lower light conditions found beneath the canopy of taller trees and shrubs in a food forest
- Many edible groundcovers thrive in shade, providing a harvestable yield while protecting the soil (sweet woodruff, wild ginger, wintergreen)
- Shade-tolerant plants help to maximize the use of vertical space and create a multi-layered, diverse ecosystem
- Edible groundcovers can be harvested for culinary or medicinal purposes, adding to the overall productivity of the food forest
Beneficial Companion Plants
- (clover, vetch, lupines) form symbiotic relationships with bacteria in their roots, converting atmospheric nitrogen into a form usable by other plants
- This process enriches the soil and reduces the need for external fertilizers
- Nitrogen fixers can be interplanted with other crops to improve soil fertility and plant health
- Dynamic accumulators (comfrey, dandelion, yarrow) have deep taproots that mine nutrients from the subsoil and make them available to shallow-rooted plants through leaf litter decomposition
- These plants help to cycle nutrients and improve soil structure over time
- Dynamic accumulators can be used as mulch or compost material to distribute their accumulated nutrients throughout the food forest
- Pollinator-friendly species (borage, lavender, bee balm) attract beneficial insects that aid in pollination and
- A diverse array of flowering plants ensures a consistent food source for pollinators throughout the growing season
- Encouraging pollinators helps to increase fruit and seed set in the food forest, leading to higher yields
Vertical Integration
Vines and Climbing Plants
- Incorporating vines and climbing plants maximizes the use of vertical space in a food forest, increasing overall productivity
- Many edible and medicinal plants grow as vines (grapes, passionflower, hops), allowing for a diverse harvest from the upper layers of the food forest
- Vines can be trained to grow up trees, trellises, or other structures, creating an aesthetically pleasing and functional landscape
Trellising and Support Structures
- Trellises, arbors, and pergolas provide support for climbing plants while creating unique microclimates and spaces within the food forest
- These structures can be made from natural materials (bamboo, wood) or repurposed items (metal fencing, old ladders) to suit the design and function of the space
- allows for easier harvesting and maintenance of climbing plants, as well as improved air circulation and sunlight penetration
Living Fences and Boundaries
- Living fences, also known as hedgerows, can be created using a combination of shrubs, trees, and vines to define boundaries and create windbreaks
- These fences provide habitat for wildlife, act as corridors for beneficial insects, and can yield edible or medicinal plants (elderberry, blackberry, hawthorn)
- Living fences offer a more sustainable and multi-functional alternative to traditional fencing materials, while also contributing to the overall of the food forest
Specialty Crops
Mushroom Cultivation
- Mushrooms are a valuable addition to a food forest, providing a unique food source and playing important ecological roles
- Many edible and medicinal mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, reishi) can be cultivated on logs, stumps, or woodchip beds in the shaded understory of a food forest
- These mushrooms break down woody debris, recycling nutrients and improving soil health
- Mushroom cultivation can be integrated with other food forest elements, such as using spent mushroom substrate as a soil amendment or mulch
- Some mycorrhizal mushrooms form symbiotic relationships with the roots of plants, improving nutrient and water uptake in exchange for sugars produced by the plant
- Inoculating tree roots with mycorrhizal fungi can enhance the growth and resilience of food forest plants
- Truffles, a prized gourmet mushroom, can be cultivated in association with certain tree species (oak, hazelnut) in a food forest setting
Key Terms to Review (16)
Biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to the variety of life in a given ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetic variation within those species, and the complex interactions among them. This richness is crucial for ecosystem resilience and health, impacting everything from soil quality to pollination and pest control.
Companion Planting: Companion planting is a gardening strategy where different plant species are grown together to enhance growth, deter pests, and improve overall health of the plants. This technique leverages the natural relationships between plants, which can lead to increased biodiversity, improved soil health, and more resilient ecosystems.
Guilds: In permaculture, guilds refer to groups of different plants, animals, and beneficial organisms that work together to create a sustainable and productive ecosystem. By understanding how these components interact, it becomes possible to design landscapes that optimize resource use, promote biodiversity, and enhance the health of the overall system.
Kiwi vines: Kiwi vines are climbing plants known for producing kiwi fruit, belonging to the genus Actinidia. These vines thrive in well-drained soil and require support structures to grow effectively, making them ideal for integration with understory species in permaculture systems. By creating a layered growth environment, kiwi vines enhance biodiversity and contribute to a sustainable ecosystem.
Microclimate creation: Microclimate creation refers to the process of establishing localized climate conditions that differ from the surrounding area, often through the strategic arrangement of plants, structures, and materials. This practice can enhance biodiversity and improve growing conditions for specific plant and animal species, making it essential for effective permaculture design.
Mulching: Mulching is the practice of covering soil with a layer of material to improve its health and prevent issues like erosion, moisture loss, and weed growth. This technique not only enhances soil structure and fertility but also plays a key role in water conservation and energy efficiency within permaculture systems.
Nitrogen-fixing plants: Nitrogen-fixing plants are species that have the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that is usable by plants, typically through a symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria in their root nodules. This process enriches the soil with nitrogen, which is essential for plant growth and development, making these plants valuable in sustainable agricultural practices and ecological systems.
Perennial herbs: Perennial herbs are plants that live for multiple years, returning each growing season from their root systems. These herbs not only provide a steady supply of foliage and flavor, but they also contribute to soil health and biodiversity. They can be used in integrated systems where understory plants enhance the productivity of taller species, forming a mutually beneficial relationship in the ecosystem.
Pest control: Pest control involves managing and regulating populations of harmful organisms that threaten the health and productivity of plants in an ecosystem. This includes the use of various strategies such as biological, mechanical, and cultural methods to minimize pest damage while promoting a balanced and sustainable environment. Effective pest control is essential for healthy plant guilds, the integration of understory and climber species, system maintenance, and the role of animals in plant-based systems.
Planting schemes: Planting schemes are structured plans that outline the arrangement and selection of plants within a landscape to achieve specific ecological or aesthetic goals. These schemes consider factors such as plant compatibility, growth habits, and seasonal variations to create harmonious environments that support biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Pole beans: Pole beans are a type of climbing bean that requires support to grow vertically, often reaching heights of 6 to 10 feet. They thrive when integrated with other plants in a permaculture system, maximizing space and sunlight while benefiting from a variety of environmental interactions.
Polyculture: Polyculture is an agricultural practice that involves growing multiple species of plants in the same area to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. This method takes advantage of the different growth habits, nutrient requirements, and pest-repelling properties of various plants to create a more sustainable and productive growing environment.
Soil Aeration: Soil aeration refers to the process of ensuring that soil has enough air space for oxygen to reach the roots of plants and for beneficial organisms to thrive. Proper aeration is crucial because it affects microbial activity, nutrient uptake, and root health, all of which are integral to a healthy ecosystem. Good aeration supports various life forms in the soil, including bacteria and fungi, and is influenced by factors like soil structure, compaction, and organic matter content.
Stacking functions: Stacking functions refers to the practice of designing systems where multiple elements serve various purposes simultaneously, enhancing efficiency and resilience. This concept promotes the integration of different components, allowing them to work together to fulfill a range of needs, from food production to habitat creation and energy conservation.
Trellising: Trellising is a gardening technique that involves the use of structures to support climbing plants, allowing them to grow vertically. This method not only optimizes space but also enhances air circulation and sunlight exposure, which can lead to healthier plants and increased yields. By integrating trellising with different plant layers, such as understory and climbers, gardeners can create more productive ecosystems and improve overall plant health.
Use of edges: The use of edges refers to the strategic incorporation of boundary zones in ecosystems, which are often more diverse and productive than their surrounding areas. These edges, where different ecosystems meet, can support a variety of plants and animals, creating unique microclimates that enhance biodiversity. By leveraging these boundaries, permaculture designs can integrate understory and climber species to maximize space and resources while promoting ecological health.