Building Climate Resilient Edible Landscapes - Chuck Marsh chuck@livingsystemsdesign.net chuck@usefulplants.org
Ecosystem Restoration The keys to ecosystem restoration are rainwater and vegetation management. - Bernd Mueller, Tamara Ecovillage, Portugal
Horticultural Implications of Climate Change Seasonal climate pattern disruptions Hardiness zone instability Extremes of heat and cold Precipitation extremes drought, flood Pestilence and disease Increased fire risk Disturbed eco-, soil, and water systems = stressed out plants
Understand your site Watershed observation and analysis Surface water flows and potential catchment locations Identify microclimates Sunlight availability- during the growing season and during the daily sun cycle Existing structures and vegetation Shade patterns Soil types and drainage characteristics Seasonal and valley wind directions and flows Slope Aspect Fire risk sectors
Permaculture Rainwater Harvesting Principles 1. Begin with long and thoughtful observation 2. Start at the high point of your watershed and work down 3. Start small and simple 4. Slow, spread and infiltrate the flow of water 5. Always plan an overflow route, and manage overflow water as a resource 6. Cover bare soil. Maximize living and organic groundcover 7. Optimize beneficial relationships among system elements it s the community of life that we cultivate! 8. Continually reassess your system and apply feedback as needed. Design-build-observe-change.
Use the water cascade
Simple Earthworks To manage surface water flows To create beneficial plant growing conditions
Rock and Brush Berms Build on contour with what s available Slows surface flows, allowing water to infiltrate Controls erosion Captures sediments Slows and spreads flow
Cracks and Rips Opens soil for water and root penetration Aerates Stores water in deeply in the soil Supports healthy root systems and soil ecology With grazing or mowing, builds topsoil quickly and deeply Scale from garden fork to subsoil plow
Holes and Pits Sunken spots to catch and infiltrate water Micro-catchment Direct catchment and infiltration Plantings in and around low spots
Vertical Mulching Trenches or holes filled with plant biomass 12-18 deep, trenches 6 wide on average Supports rapid and deep water infiltration into the root zone In ground composting Plant adjoining, not in, hole or trench
Vertical mulching
Swales On contour, shallow water storage and infiltration structures Hold water, fill up, overflow Manage storm flows Create beneficial planting habitats
New Home Orchard Swale
Swale Development
Hugelswale
Gardening a swale
Terraces For shallow to moderate slopes Veggies on flats, berries and perennial herbs on slopes width Crowning or back sloping
Basins Infiltration basins sunken, or with raised sidewall berms Mulch filled basins Banana circles Grey water biofilter sites Rain Gardens Plant based on inundation tolerances
Large Basin Planting
Pools and ponds Water storage Habitat Microclimate Beneficial planting environments Aquaculture Irrigation Scale from kiddy pools to farm ponds
Pond Polyculture
Net and Pan Micro-catchment Low, shaped berms or rock piles Web planting pattern Directs surface water to planting pockets
Boomerangs Spreads concentrated flows Excess flows cascade from one boomerang catchment to the next
Deep Bed Soil Building Deep soil prep with an excavator Builds superior plant root growing conditions Infiltrates and stores water Use to prepare whole beds for diverse plantings Use for high productivity, intensive production Excellent for building permanent wide beds
Burying vegetative carbon in hills and beds. Works for annual and perennial gardens. Needs extra water at establishment Hugelkultur
Sepp Holzer s Hugelkultur Diagram
Palisade style
Wicking Beds Garden beds with subsurface water reservoirs Garden beds above wick moisture from reservoir below. Very water conserving method as there is minimal evaporation from soil surface or drainage loss Above and below ground variants
Wicking Garden Beds
Sheet Mulch
Neo-Horticultural Strategies for Climate Resistant Landscapes Garden as Ecosystem. Diversity and system maintenance protect against disturbance Polycultures forest gardens, alley cropping, inter-planting Capture and store carbon in the soil mulch and vegetation Manage light and shade via pruning and placement Manage plant growth via pruning, chop and drop, grazing, or mowing Stack vertically, pack horizontally
Limiting Factors in Plant Growth Sunlight Water Air quality Nutrient availability Temperature tolerances Predators and disease Design systems to overcome limiting factors.
Informed Plant Selection Based on site analysis and your nutritional and food needs Right Plant/Right Place Drought tolerance once established Heat tolerance Cold Tolerance Disease and insect resistance Cooling degree days needed for flowering Flowering and fruiting times Size and space available Horticultural strategy suitable to site and plant
African Polyculture- humid tropics
Alley cropping
Suntrap
Drought Tolerant Plants Fig Pomegranate Jujube Chestnut Grape Plums and Cherries Rabbiteye Blueberry Muscadine Grape Goji berry Cowpeas Sweet Potato Okra Amaranth Tomatoes Peppers
Drought Intolerant Plants Blackberry fruit Northern Highbush Blueberry Rhubarb??? Most leafy greens Corn???
Plants for moister soils Paw Paw Serviceberries Aronia Elderberry Cane fruits Hazelnut Walnut Pear Banana Rhubarb Cranberry
Poor drainage intolerant plants Figs Cherries Plums Apples Blueberries Kiwi Asian Persimmon??? Potato???
Disease and Pest Resistant Plants Butternut squash Cowpeas Goumi Muscadine Grape Jujube Rabbiteye Blueberry Fig
Celebrate Fecundity! Chuck Marsh chuck@usefulplants.org chuck@livingsystemsdesign.net
Plant Establishment The critical first month, first year, first 5 years Dig wide holes or prepare whole beds Crack the soil below and beyond the hole Mix missing minerals and amendments in Seaweed soak pre- and post- transplant Plant and mulch Regular watering Protect from sun, weeds, critters
Building Seasonal Climate Resilience: Winter Plant Support Cold Protection: Greenhouses, cold frames, blankets, row covers Wind protection: Windbreaks, greenhouses, cold frames, blankets Microclimates: Use and create protective, beneficial microclimates Rainwater catchment: fill catchment ponds and infiltrate overflows Mulch: Thicken mulch for winter Plant: dormant trees, shrubs, vines in early winter Re-mineralize: Apply rock powders and minerals
Springtime Plant Support Freeze and frost protection Season extension Irrigation to support plant establishment and growth Rainwater collection and use Pull back or incorporate mulch to warm veggie garden soils Begin seasonal fertilization as needed to optimize plant growth and yields
Summertime Plant Support Seasonal droughts are common in southern summers Cover soil with mulch or vegetation Supply water to support plant production needs Meet plants nutrient and water needs Summer pruning of fruiting trees and shrubs Vegetation management: Harvest plant biomass to build soil Protection from pests and diseases Shade new plants or heat intolerant plants
Fall Plant Support Driest time of year Establish fall and winter crops and groundcovers Water to support new crop establishment and fall fruit crop development Prepare winter protection systems Mulch for winter Plant perennial and woody plants Build sheet mulch or hugelkulture beds for next growing season