Apple Tree Guild
In conventional gardens an apple tree would be planted alone, and would require a number of inputs from the gardener, such as water, fertiliser, and pest controls. In the apple tree guild, however, things are more complex, but the guild is much more self-sustaining and productive, and the gardener can relax and take it easy.
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Design
In conventional gardens an apple tree would be planted alone, and would require a number of inputs from the gardener, such as water, fertiliser, and pest controls. In the apple tree guild, however, things are more complex, but the guild is much more self-sustaining and productive, and the gardener can relax and take it easy. Lin Edwards explains an apple tree guild: The first component of the apple tree guild is, of course, an apple tree. At the line that will be the drip line of the adult tree, a circle of daffodil bulbs and/or garlic or garlic chives is densely planted, and inside this a circle of comfrey plants. Closer to the tree are two or three globe artichoke and/or rhubarb plants, and in the empty spaces between them flowers such as nasturtiums and marigolds and herbs such as dill and yarrow are planted. Dandelion, chicory and plantain (normally thought of as weeds) may also be planted, along with nitrogen fixers such as broad (fava) beans, climbing beans or clover and/or alfalfa. Any spaces can be filled with small piles of rocks.
In a conventional garden the area covered by the apple tree would contain only one plant: the tree, and perhaps grass. In the permaculture guild there may be a dozen species, each benefiting the guild in some way and doing jobs, such as pest or weed control and fertilising that would otherwise have to be done by the gardener. Every member of a guild must have at least one function, but preferably two or more. In the apple tree guild, obviously the apple provides food for people (and perhaps an alcoholic drink: cider), but it also provides shade for the other guild members (although it should be pruned to provide an open canopy to allow plenty of light through).
Components
The Central Element
The central element is the apple tree, but this can be most any other temperate fruit tree, pruned to an open shape that lets some light through the canopy to the plants below. This is the main crop, the basis of the guild, that provides the major yield, in this case, of apples.
Grass-Suppressing Bulbs
A ring of bulbs like daffodils, camas, and alliums provide a barrier that keeps grasses out of the system, if planted densely enough. Grasses have shallow roots that compete with the tree for nutrients at the surface. Reducing grasses reducing the amount of fertilizer you use. Daffodils are very useful because they curtail their growth in early summer, and therefore don't compete with the tree for water as it gets hot. Daffodils also contain toxins that deters many animals, including deer and gophers. Garlic chives provide both food and attract parasitic wasps that help control the population of insect pests. Other alliums include Walking Onions.
Mulch Plants
Comfrey, globe artichoke, cardoon, rhubarb, clovers, and nasturtiums function as mulch plants, providing compost and nutrients from on site. They are soft-leaved plants that decompose rapidly. As they grow throughout the summer, you can chop and drop them - cutting and directly mulching them around the tree, providing a dose of nutrients for the soil and creating a environment for soil microbes to thrive. Comfrey can be mulched 4 or 5 times a summer, while globe artichoke, rhubarb, and nasturtiums provide human food.
Dynamic Accumulators
Chicory, dandelion, yarrow, and plantain are dynamic accumulators. They have deep taproots that bring up minerals from deep in the soil, including potassium, magnesium, calcium and sulfur, and make them available for other plants in the guild. As the nutrients begin cycling within the guild, the accumulator plants become redundant and can be removed. Dandelion can be used as a tea, chicory as a coffee substitute, and plantain is a good mulch.
Nitrogen Fixers
Clover, cowpeas, alfalfa, lupines, beans, peas, vetch are all nitrogen fixers that fix atmospheric nitrogen . Dutch or New England white clover, alfalfa and lupine are all perennial; vetch self-seeds, and cowpeas and fava beans provide and edible yield.
Habitat Nooks
The piles of rocks? They are there to encourage small lizards to take up residence, and these will eat many insects, grubs, larvae, caterpillars and snails. Dense plantings around the base of the tree ensure the soil is protected and reduces evaporation and the need for watering.
Conclusion
The single apple tree needs to be watered, fed, and sprayed with chemicals to treat pests and diseases. The apple tree guild needs nothing, and the same area that provided only apples now provides apples, cut flowers, colour, herbs, globe artichoke, rhubarb, tea and medicinals.
