In our orchard we are using a permaculture method called “guilding”. Around each tree we plant beneficial herbs and plants, that have several uses.  Our goal is to have 5-10 uses for everything we plant here on the farm.

Around each tree we have what we jokingly call “rings of fertility” but in reality that is exactly what they are. Using a sheet mulching method we are creating fertility, in essence building our own top soil.  Each ring extends just beyond the tree’s individual drip line, that is the area where the tree absorbs the most water and nutrients, right at the drip line. In each ring of fertility we plant our beneficial plants and herbs that have several functions.  Right now we have clovers, chamomile, yarrow, plantain and comfrey planted around each tree. They will pull nutrients from deep down and deposit them up top in the form of mulch.  They are also all medicinal herbs that we use.
At the beginning and end of each season we will extend the ring, adding more plantings as we go increasing the soil fertility and variety of plants growing in the orchard.  Eventually the rings of fertility will touch each other and we will have slowly created a biodiverse, fertile orchard that provides us with food, shade, medicinal, and culinary herbs along with beauty.

Little Yarrow seedlings

Despite the fact that our summer garden was an almost complete loss (we do have summer squash, good old reliable zucchini!) we went forward with a fall garden this year, but we decided to experiment with a different method of bed making. Instead of adding some compost to the top and tilling it all in we sheet mulched the entire bed.

First, we did no tilling, we did mow down the weeds and old plants, but the ground was not disturbed. Then we added a layer of cardboard (thanks Amazon and Costco). Over that about four inches of straw (to help absorb and store water). Then over the entire thing six inches of rotted manure. This is a permaculture method, I plan on talking about it more as time goes on. In this I planted peas, beets, lettuce, cabbage and kale. With the exception of the peas and lettuce, the plants are doing fabulously. I believe it is too rich for the peas, who do well in poor soil and the lettuce, well my family of quail enjoyed it very much!

New cabbage, this will stay in the garden over winter with a heavy layer of mulch over top.

Red cabbage, a hold out from our summer garden

Cabbage

Kale, waiting for the first frost to sweeten it up.

Beets, I’m loving how these are looking. They too will over winter in the ground with a heavy layer of straw mulch.