We are developing Forest Orchard Garden Guilds in key locations throughout Janahn Forest, especially on the circumference of the dam and where we have cut swales and adgingbongs that concentrate sub-soil moisture.

As these systems evolve they are protected from wind and allow mostly filtered sunlight during the growing season by using the combined attributes of many selected plant species.

Within these guilds, a dominant pioneer companion tree used to restore and maintain fertility is the deciduous broadleaf mulberry. New spring foliage creates filtered sunlight which then falls in autumn to provide mulch on the ground that is high in crude protein. Mulch which reverts to a greater nitrogen charge as humus. Mulberry leaf is low in toxic vegetable tannins, an attribute that promotes fungal blooms and micro life forms in the soil, and so, ever increasing moisture holding capacity as life accumulates life. Leaf and fruit are palatable to a variety of insect species in the soil that contribute their manures to the system. Deep rooted, they assist in breaking up clay subsoil, creating conduits for rainwater penetration. It is also drought tolerant. The mulberry is an excellent "accumulator and accelerator" that rapidly creates fertility for itself and others. Smaller evergreen fruit trees with surface feeder roots, such as citrus, benefit greatly from the companionship of the mulberry. Figs act in a similar manner to the mulberry. All of the many species of pioneer trees planted at Janahn Forest have similar attributes.

As these Forest Orchard Garden systems mature, animals are introduced. The forest floor yields insect proteins for foraging birds. Part of our design is the creation of insect habitats and refuges. These may be hand harvested for chicken fodder if desired.

All of our vine and tree crops are selected with the intent of allowing periodic grazing with sheep on a seasonal basis when required.

Intensive vegetable gardens may be self contained to exclude competing animals, or they may be managed on a seasonal basis to allow the periodic inclusion of animals.

Portable chicken pens, (known as chicken tractors) are highly effective devices in garden bed systems.
All offcuts from the kitchen, are able to be recycled as fertilizer. The chickens are also employed as part of the process.

Time management and key interventions allow for highly productive diverse species forest orchard garden systems to be assembled. The potential of such systems has been barely realized in the
modern world.


Our Permaculture Journal
featuring
Stories from Janahn Forest and Beyond

provides a photographic display
of our intensive
Cell Gardening System
at Janahn Forest

go to : Stories from our Permaculture Journal at www.permaculturedesigninstitute.com.au

along with a collection of other
short stories

A new garden bed on dam ledge that was initially stacked with fallen timber from our native forest and then burnt to supply
bio-char. Round offcuts are included to provide refuges for insects that till the soil.


Young Fig. An important companion tree for diverse
species orchard systems


Second year olives at Janahn Forest.


Butterfly Pea, a long lived legume. Leaves are excellent chicken fodder and may be used as a vegetable.


Most recent planting of Plums and Figs on an adgingbong.