The art of foraging is one which is mastered through time and experience. The main thing is to ensure you know what it is that you're picking. This can be achieved by foraging with others who have more experience or getting to grips with a good plant identification book. I would recommend:
The second most important thing is that you observe where the plant is growing in order to estimate the safety of the plant. Pick above wait height where possible so the liklihood of dog wee is less. Pick away from main roads as they coat plants in pollution. Do not pick near farm crops which may have been repeatedly sprayed with herbicides etc. Question the history of the land, are there any signs of toxic waste which may have leached into the soil? As with most things I'm sure one could get as complicated and detailed as one wishes with this but I like to keep it simple and minimal.
Friday 6 August 2010
Companion Planting
Companion planting can be as simple or complicated as you like. The idea of companion planting is that when certain plants are put together it increases their productivity or protects them against disease.
It has been observed that the current practice of planting huge areas with a single plant (monoculture) leaves the plants vulnerable to disease and pests (not to mention the harm it does to soil). If however, plants are combined in a 'polyculture' pests and disease don't get as much a chance to evolve to utterly dessimate an area. At least if a disease does hit you you won't lose all your productive crop.
Some plants will attract insects to help pollinate your plants. Some will help deter other pests because they don't like the smell texture, taste or colour of the companion plants. IT is also possible to grow plants which have such different growing patterns they can use up a small amount of area and maximise productivity of that area. For example, the native american indians have a tradition of growing 'the three sisters' which is a combination of corn courgette/pumpkin and bean together. The beans provide nitrogen for the corn and climb up the corn which grows tall, while the courgettes cover the ground and supress weeds plus help maintain moisture in the soil.
More complex companion planting can sometimes consist of a combination of up to 9 different plants. However, in permaculture it would be expected that everything you choose for your space serves a purpose in making the ecosystem you design work more effectively.
General rules to follow when companion planting are:
- Nectar rich flowers attract pollinators and increase the amount of fruit harvested
- The pea family of plants are nitrogen fixers
- Roots and leafy crops can be grown side by side as they exploit different aspects of the soil
- If a plant if known for a specific pest put it near another plant which is known for deterring it, or introduce a competitor species to hunt that pest e.g. hedgehogs to eat your slugs
Below are some more examples of companion planting. However, one should be aware this isn't an area of knowledge which has been tried and tested much with science rigour. I have found there is some contradictive information out there. I provide some of the information but it is important that we rediscover the skill of observing so that you can figure out what works best for your land.
It has been observed that the current practice of planting huge areas with a single plant (monoculture) leaves the plants vulnerable to disease and pests (not to mention the harm it does to soil). If however, plants are combined in a 'polyculture' pests and disease don't get as much a chance to evolve to utterly dessimate an area. At least if a disease does hit you you won't lose all your productive crop.
Some plants will attract insects to help pollinate your plants. Some will help deter other pests because they don't like the smell texture, taste or colour of the companion plants. IT is also possible to grow plants which have such different growing patterns they can use up a small amount of area and maximise productivity of that area. For example, the native american indians have a tradition of growing 'the three sisters' which is a combination of corn courgette/pumpkin and bean together. The beans provide nitrogen for the corn and climb up the corn which grows tall, while the courgettes cover the ground and supress weeds plus help maintain moisture in the soil.
More complex companion planting can sometimes consist of a combination of up to 9 different plants. However, in permaculture it would be expected that everything you choose for your space serves a purpose in making the ecosystem you design work more effectively.
General rules to follow when companion planting are:
- Nectar rich flowers attract pollinators and increase the amount of fruit harvested
- The pea family of plants are nitrogen fixers
- Roots and leafy crops can be grown side by side as they exploit different aspects of the soil
- If a plant if known for a specific pest put it near another plant which is known for deterring it, or introduce a competitor species to hunt that pest e.g. hedgehogs to eat your slugs
Below are some more examples of companion planting. However, one should be aware this isn't an area of knowledge which has been tried and tested much with science rigour. I have found there is some contradictive information out there. I provide some of the information but it is important that we rediscover the skill of observing so that you can figure out what works best for your land.
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