7.3 Succession planting and forest garden management
4 min read•august 7, 2024
Succession planting and forest garden management are key to creating thriving food forests. These techniques mimic natural processes, using pioneer species to prepare the way for climax species. They also involve strategic maintenance like chop-and-drop and to build soil and boost productivity.
Forest gardens evolve over time, just like natural ecosystems. By understanding succession and using smart management practices, we can create self-sustaining food forests that provide abundant yields while requiring minimal input. It's all about working with nature, not against it.
Succession Dynamics
Pioneer Species and Climax Species
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- Pioneer species are the first plants to colonize a disturbed or newly exposed area, preparing the way for other species to follow (grasses, wildflowers, shrubs)
- Pioneer species have adaptations that allow them to thrive in harsh conditions, such as drought tolerance, rapid growth, and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil
- As pioneer species modify the environment, they create conditions favorable for climax species to establish themselves
- Climax species are the dominant plants in a mature, stable ecosystem (hardwood trees like oak and maple in a temperate forest)
- Climax species are typically slower-growing, longer-lived, and more shade-tolerant than pioneer species
Nurse Trees and Natural Regeneration
- Nurse trees are pioneer species that create a favorable microclimate for the establishment of climax species by providing shade, moisture retention, and protection from wind and extreme temperatures (alder, birch, aspen)
- Nurse trees facilitate the natural regeneration of the forest by creating conditions suitable for the germination and growth of climax species
- As the climax species mature, they eventually overtop and replace the nurse trees, leading to a mature, diverse forest ecosystem
- Natural regeneration refers to the process by which a forest ecosystem regenerates itself without human intervention, through the establishment of new seedlings from the existing seed bank in the soil or from seeds dispersed by wind, animals, or other means
Self-Seeding and Succession
- Self-seeding is the process by which plants produce and disperse their own seeds, allowing them to propagate and spread without human assistance
- Self-seeding is a key mechanism in the process of succession, as it allows pioneer and climax species to establish themselves in new areas and regenerate the ecosystem over time
- Many forest garden plants, such as herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees, can be encouraged to self-seed by allowing them to flower and set seed
- By designing forest gardens with self-seeding in mind, permaculturists can create low-maintenance, self-sustaining ecosystems that mimic natural succession processes
Maintenance Techniques
Chop and Drop and Mulching
- Chop and drop is a technique where plant material, such as prunings, weeds, or cover crops, is cut and left in place to decompose and feed the soil (comfrey, nettles, dandelions)
- Chop and drop mimics the natural process of leaf fall and decomposition in a forest, cycling nutrients back into the soil and improving soil structure and fertility
- Mulching involves applying a layer of organic material, such as wood chips, straw, or leaves, around plants to suppress weeds, retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and feed the soil as it decomposes
- Mulching can be combined with chop and drop by using the cut plant material as a mulch, reducing the need for external inputs and closing nutrient cycles within the system
Pruning and Thinning
- involves selectively removing branches or shoots from trees and shrubs to improve their health, productivity, and form
- Pruning can be used to remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood, encourage fruiting and flowering, improve air circulation and light penetration, and control the size and shape of plants
- Thinning is the selective removal of whole plants to reduce competition and improve the growth and yield of the remaining plants (removing overcrowded seedlings or saplings in a forest garden)
- Thinning can be used to favor desired species, improve the overall health and productivity of the system, and create space for new plants to establish themselves
- Both pruning and thinning can provide valuable plant material for chop and drop or mulching, cycling nutrients back into the system
Ecosystem Management
Pest Management and Natural Regeneration
- In a well-designed forest garden, pest management is largely achieved through the promotion of and the creation of a balanced ecosystem
- By providing habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and other predators, forest gardens can keep pest populations in check without the need for chemical interventions (ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies)
- , where certain plants are grown together to deter pests or attract beneficial insects, can also be used as a pest management strategy (basil with tomatoes, marigolds with vegetables)
- Natural regeneration, through self-seeding and the establishment of new seedlings, helps to maintain the diversity and resilience of the forest garden ecosystem over time
- By allowing natural regeneration to occur, forest gardeners can ensure that the system remains adaptable to changing conditions and resistant to pests and diseases
Self-Seeding and Nurse Trees
- Self-seeding plants, such as annual vegetables, herbs, and some perennial plants, can be encouraged to reproduce and spread throughout the forest garden, filling in gaps and providing a continuous supply of food and other resources (lettuce, cilantro, dill)
- Self-seeding plants also help to maintain the genetic diversity of the system, as they adapt to local conditions over time through natural selection
- Nurse trees, such as nitrogen-fixing legumes or fast-growing pioneer species, can be incorporated into the forest garden to improve soil fertility, provide shade and protection for other plants, and create a favorable microclimate for the establishment of climax species (black locust, alders, acacias)
- As the forest garden matures, nurse trees can be selectively removed or coppiced to make room for the climax species, mimicking the natural succession process and ensuring the long-term stability and productivity of the ecosystem
Key Terms to Review (18)
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.
Composting: Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a rich soil amendment known as compost. This process not only enhances soil health and fertility but also aligns with sustainable practices that benefit the environment and communities.
Crop rotation: Crop rotation is an agricultural practice where different types of crops are grown in the same area across a sequence of seasons. This technique helps maintain soil fertility, prevent pest buildup, and promote biodiversity, contributing to sustainable farming practices.
Guild planting: Guild planting is a permaculture technique that involves grouping together different plants that benefit each other, creating a synergistic relationship within a garden or ecosystem. This approach enhances biodiversity, optimizes space, and increases productivity by considering the specific needs and roles of each plant, such as pest control, nutrient provision, and shade creation.
Harvesting cycles: Harvesting cycles refer to the scheduled periods during which crops or fruits are collected from plants in a garden or farm. These cycles are essential for maintaining the health and productivity of the ecosystem, as they dictate when to gather mature produce while allowing other plants to thrive. Understanding these cycles aids in implementing effective succession planting and forest garden management practices, ensuring a continuous yield of food throughout the growing season.
Intercropping: Intercropping is the agricultural practice of growing two or more crops in proximity to each other to achieve benefits such as improved yields, reduced pest pressure, and enhanced biodiversity. This method contrasts with conventional monoculture approaches by promoting a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system that can mimic natural ecosystems.
Layering: Layering is a propagation technique used to create new plants from existing ones by encouraging roots to form on a stem while it is still attached to the parent plant. This method is particularly beneficial for perennial crops, as it allows for the gradual establishment of new plants in their natural habitat. It can also enhance biodiversity and resilience within a garden system by promoting the growth of various plant layers, each with its unique benefits.
Microclimates: Microclimates are small, localized areas within a larger climate zone that experience different climatic conditions due to various environmental factors. They can be influenced by elements such as topography, vegetation, water bodies, and human-made structures, affecting temperature, humidity, light, and wind patterns in unique ways.
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.
Natural predators: Natural predators are organisms that hunt and consume other organisms, typically pests, as part of their ecological role. They help maintain balance in ecosystems by controlling pest populations, thus reducing the need for synthetic pesticides. Their presence can enhance biodiversity and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.
Nitrogen-fixers: Nitrogen-fixers are organisms, primarily certain types of bacteria and legumes, that have the ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen ($$N_2$$) into a form that plants can utilize, such as ammonia ($$NH_3$$). This process is crucial for soil health and fertility, as it enhances nutrient availability, ultimately supporting plant growth and increasing biodiversity within agricultural systems and natural ecosystems.
Perennials: Perennials are plants that live for more than two years, often returning each growing season without needing to be replanted. They play a crucial role in sustainable agriculture and permaculture systems, as they provide stability, reduce soil erosion, and contribute to biodiversity in various designs, such as food forests and forest gardens.
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.
Pruning: Pruning is the horticultural practice of selectively removing specific parts of a plant, such as branches, buds, or roots, to enhance its growth, health, and productivity. This technique can improve air circulation, light penetration, and overall plant structure, making it an essential practice in maintaining healthy gardens and ecosystems. Pruning is also crucial in integrating nitrogen-fixing plants and dynamic accumulators, establishing perennial crops, and managing succession planting and forest gardens.
Season extension: Season extension refers to techniques and practices used to prolong the growing season for crops, allowing for earlier planting in spring and later harvesting in fall or winter. This is achieved through methods such as using greenhouses, cold frames, row covers, and mulching, which help create a more favorable microclimate for plants. By optimizing the growing environment, season extension enhances productivity and supports sustainable food production.
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.
Zoning: Zoning refers to the strategic organization of space within a landscape to optimize the use of resources and energy while minimizing waste. This concept is crucial in permaculture as it helps design efficient systems by determining the placement of elements based on their needs, relationships, and the frequency of human interaction, which can enhance productivity and sustainability.