[permaculture-oceania] Help needed in planning our PC farm

[Russ Grayson]

On 20/6/06 12:05 PM, "jedd" <jedd at progsoc.org> wrote:

> On Tuesday 20 June 2006 9:17 am, Faith Thomas wrote:
>  ] There has been a fair bit of research done with regard to wandering jew
>  ] under citrus trees... it has the very useful ability of increasing the
> 
>  I've been contemplating using nasturtiums or maybe even geraniums
>  under some of my younger trees, with the same intent -- to shade and
>  retain moisture, while hopefully not taking too much in the way of
>  water and nutrients for themselves.  I know that both those plants
>  *can* survive and flourish in poor and dry soil, but not sure how
>  much they'll compete for either with my trees.  Any ideas?

Guess nasturtian and geranium would attract pollinators when in flower.

In earlier days at UNSW Permaculture Garden we trialled running postman
(Kennedia ribucundra, a native legume) and a purple-flowering climber the
name of which presently eludes me (native wisteria?) below fruit trees. Both
formed a dense living mulch to around 20cm in depth, performing all the
usual things that mulch does. Maintenance required periodic cutting back
from the trees, as the creepers like to climb.

>  Both are edible, and I have the unfortunate benefit of lots of
>  bouncing wildlife who will prevent either becoming weedy.  Is
>  wandering jew edible?

Only if you are a chook.

> I have memories, from the 'burbs, of it being
>  particularly weedy & invasive.

Spreads readily but is shallow rooted aand easily pulled up.

> Perhaps unfairly, I've always put it
>  in the same mental category as impatiens

Maybe they would do the job you want too, Jedd.

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