MY HERBS #1

Our current food industry is relatively
lifeless. More edible perennials would
certainly liven up our plate. Creative
people take a particular interest in perennials
for providing various materials
and active substances, along with pharmaceuticals,
dyes, fragrances, oils, fertilizers,
animal feed or biomass. High
growing species also provide a visual
barrier and protection, such as shelter
for animals, and hollow stems – which
in winter house environmentally beneficial
insects. They also provide seeds
for feeding birds. Any surplus material
may be used for compost or mulch.
GUILD – FUNCTIONAL
COMMUNITY
In permaculture the word guild is
used for a community body of plants
mutually dedicated to supporting each
other – perennials and wood plants.
This community of plants not only
helps individually, but comprehensively
assists the garden as a whole.
As an example, let us look at the plant
surroundings of a fruit tree. Plants in
this community build profitable relationships
in many ways: they attract beneficial
insects for pollination and
natural pest control, improve soil fertility,
reduce root spreading competition,
retain moisture, balance the amount of
mould and cooperate with underground
fungi.
Thanks to substances from the so-called
mycorrhizal fungi, the plants are
able to treat their own ailments, thus
receiving more water and nutrients.
This results in better growth and production.
These symbiotic fungi can
also inoculate the plants from special
ingredients in the soil. The result of
this guild, connected both under and
above ground with its vast and largely
unknown number of relationships, is a
healthier tree and ecological balance.
This removes a lot of work from the
gardener’s shoulders, thus maintaining
a sustainable, ecological cycle.
By combining more plant communities
together, we gain greater stability and
benefits than those provided by each
plant alone.
The quantity of plants depends on
the size of the tree and the entire group
– obviously the larger tree, the smaller
the community and vice-versa. Every
garden has different conditions, and
planting around and under a tree depends
on its size, density of the tree top
and climatic conditions.
All gardeners have to figure out for
themselves what their guild needs.
There is no exact manual, just some
guidelines and ideas that can help us
achieve the desired results as soon as
possible and in the best form. We can
experiment, for it is harmless; perennials
which are planted badly can be
easily replanted, but it is important to
keep an eye on everything. In order to
catch as much sun as possible, we sow
low from the south side and build the
terraced garden higher towards the
north. This also applies to planting in
forests with edible species and small
patches in the middle of the lawn.
Plants for a Working
GUILD
Plants for mulching – covering the
soil surface with a carpeting layer or
large leaves, holding moisture and keeping
weeds at bay (hosta, geranium,
waldsteinia – aka barren strawberries).
Plants releasing nitrogen in soil –
working together with root bacteria,
feeding the surrounding perennials and
wooden plants (lupines, peas, clover).
12 MY HERBS MAGAZINE