Central Texas Plant Guilds

• Much of what has been written about guilds seems to be in warm wet regions.
• It would be useful for us to explore what plants can work together in guilds in our hot dry (with occasional rainstorms) region.
• We are lazy and prefer to have nature do the work for us.

What is a plant guild?

• From Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture#Guilds
  • Permaculture Guilds are groups of plants which work particularly well together. These can be those observed in nature such as the White Oak guild which centers on the White Oak tree and includes 10 other plants. Native communities can be adapted by substitution of plants more suitable for human use.
  • The Three Sisters of maize, squash and beans is a well known guild. The British National Vegetation Classification provides a comprehensive list of plant communities in the UK. Guilds can be thought of as an extension of companion planting.
  • Permaculture Guilds are groups of plants which work particularly well together. These can be those observed in nature such as the White Oak guild which centers on the White Oak tree and includes 10 other plants. Native communities can be adapted by substitution of plants more suitable for human use.
  • The Three Sisters of maize, squash and beans is a well known guild. The British National Vegetation Classification provides a comprehensive list of plant communities in the UK. Guilds can be thought of as an extension of companion planting.
• From free dictionary
  • Ecology. One of four groups of plants, the lianas, epiphytes, saprophytes, and parasites, having a characteristic mode of existence that involves some dependence on other plant life.

What are the benefits of plan guilds

• From http://www.greenhousebed.com/permaculture_examples.htm
  • Horseradish growing at the base of a sour cherry tree.
  • For 17 years, this cherry tree had never produced well, and birds normally ate its few cherries before we could harvest them.
  • In 2004, one year after planting the horseradish, this tree produced an abundant crop of cherries that the birds did not eat.
  • For the first time, we were able to harvest and preserve all the cherries we wanted.
  • The area under this tree previously required regular weeding.
  • This is no longer necessary since the horseradish chokes out almost all weeds.
  • Horseradish is more compatible with trees than is grass because grass exudes chemicals intended to suppress tree growth.
  • Having horseradish in this location keeps grass further from the tree roots.
  • We now have a horseradish crop that can be harvested at any time, and it requires virtually no maintenance.

Measuring plant benefits

• water usage
  • food yield
  • seasoning
  • medicinal value
  • scent
  • wildlife
  • soil benefits
  • Is it native (may have other untold benefits)

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