7.3 Succession planting and forest garden management

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 mulching 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

• Pruning 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 biodiversity 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)
• Companion planting, 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