What Are The Ideal Plants For A Permaculture Garden?

“I’ve got a small corner in my backyard where the grass doesn’t grow well due to partial shade, but I’d like to turn it into a productive permaculture space. I’m new to permaculture but really want to grow my own food and encourage local wildlife. What are the best plants I could use to kickstart the garden for both these purposes?”

Thanks, Sarah, Portland, USA

What Are The Ideal Plants For A Permaculture Garden?

When starting out with permaculture, choosing the right plants can feel overwhelming. There are so many to pick from, and the goal is to create a balanced, self-sustaining ecosystem. But don’t worry, Sarah, with a little bit of planning, you can turn that shady backyard corner into a thriving permaculture garden that produces food, supports local wildlife, and looks beautiful all year round!

Understanding Your Space: Sunlight and Soil

Before picking plants, it’s important to understand the conditions of your garden. You mentioned that your area is partially shaded, which can be both a challenge and a blessing. Some plants love the shade and will thrive better than others in these conditions. Additionally, checking your soil type is vital. Is it sandy, clay-heavy, or loamy? You might want to conduct a simple soil test to understand its pH too. Knowing your soil properties will allow you to select plants that will naturally do well without needing constant pampering.

Planting for Shade: Great Choices for Partially Shaded Gardens

Shade doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a barren plot! There are numerous shade-loving plants suitable for a permaculture garden. Here are some options to consider:

• Perennial Vegetables:

  Plants like rhubarb, sorrel, and asparagus are perennial vegetables that thrive in partial shade. They’ll come back year after year, saving you the hassle of replanting and making them a perfect cornerstone for a permaculture garden.

• Leafy Greens:

  Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard adore a bit of shade. They’ll give you nutritious, easy-to-grow greens even in less-than-sunny spots.

• Herbs:

  Mints, parsley, and chives do well in shade and add flavor to your meals. Mint is particularly useful because it suppresses weeds — but remember to keep it contained, as it can get a bit enthusiastic in spreading.

• Berries:

  Raspberries and currants don’t mind the shade and offer delicious fruits rich in vitamins. These also attract local fauna, which can benefit your garden’s ecosystem.

Companion Planting: Nature’s Best Friends

In permaculture, the concept of companion planting involves growing plants together that support each other. This can be through pest control, enhancing soil fertility, or providing structural support, among other benefits. Here’s how you can use companion planting in your partially shaded garden:

• Kale and Garlic:

  Planting garlic near kale helps deter aphids and whiteflies, two common pests that can wreak havoc on your leafy greens. Almost like setting up a mini-defense system!

• Tomatoes and Basil:

  Though tomatoes generally prefer more sun, they can actually do quite well with a few hours of direct light in sheltered spots. Basil is their trusty sidekick, warding off pests like mosquitoes and adding flavor to your dishes at the same time.

• Carrots and Leeks:

  These two work well together as they protect each other from carrot fly and leek moth. Plus, they don’t take up too much horizontal space, so they make a good use of limited room in a small garden.

Multi-Layer Planting: Mimicking Nature

Piling plants into layers is a hallmark of good permaculture design. This approach maximizes space, improves biodiversity, and keeps pests at bay. Each “layer” represents a different type of plant, from ground covers to trees.

• Tall Trees:

  If your space allows, try planting fruit or nut trees. Even a dwarf tree can provide shade, wind protection, and a source of food. Apple and hazelnut trees are excellent options that yield produce for years.

• Shrubs:

  Add shrubs like elderberries or gooseberries, which are productive, hardy, and beneficial to wildlife.

• Herbaceous Layer:

  This is where your leafy greens, vegetables, and herbs come in. It’s the layer most of your important food will come from, so include reliable vegetables and herbs here.

• Ground Covers:

  Consider spreading plants like clover or creeping thyme at ground level. They suppress weeds, fix nitrogen in the soil, and some also attract pollinators like bees, making them all-around helpers in your garden.

Incorporating Nitrogen Fixers: The Soil Builders

One of the key ways to keep your soil healthy over time is by including nitrogen-fixing plants in the mix. These plants take nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form for other plants, effectively fertilizing your garden naturally.

• Legumes:

  Peas, beans, and clovers are the most common and versatile nitrogen fixers. They can be integrated into any layer of your garden, whether up a trellis or as a ground cover.

• Alder Trees:

  If you’ve got room and a slightly moister area, consider an alder tree. These fast-growing trees also fix nitrogen, improving the soil for years to come.

Choosing Perennials Over Annuals: Set It and (Almost) Forget It

In permaculture, perennial plants are often favored over annuals because of their low maintenance and longevity. Plant them once, and they’ll keep providing food year after year. That said, annuals certainly have their place, especially if you’re eager for quick yields.

Here are a few great perennials and their benefits:

• Jerusalem Artichoke:

  These thrive in partial shade and produce tubers that are nutritious and easy to harvest. But be warned: they can spread, so pick a spot where you’re okay with them taking over a bit.

• Lovage:

  Once it gets going, lovage can become a solid anchor plant in your garden. It’s like a giant celery plant, and both its leaves and roots are edible.

• Comfrey:

  A true workhorse, comfrey is fantastic for fertilizing your garden. Its deep roots draw up nutrients from the soil, and you can chop its leaves and lay them as mulch to enrich the soil.

Attracting Pollinators: Invite Nature’s Helpers

One of the most rewarding aspects of permaculture is watching the wildlife it attracts. To keep those beneficial insects and birds coming, you’ll want to plant some pollinator-friendly species:

• Bee Balm and Echinacea:

  These not only bring beauty to your garden but will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Plus, they’re both perennials, so they’ll return each year.

• Lavender:

  Lavender pulls triple duty: it smells great, looks pretty, and attracts a host of beneficial insects to your garden. It’s also a deer-deterrent, so double-win if you’re in an area with a lot of deer activity.

• Sunflowers:

  Though typically sun-loving, dwarf sunflowers can do well in partial shade and lift the spirits of any garden. They bring in bees, birds, and beneficial insects, plus their seeds are edible!

Combating Common Challenges: Dealing With Pests and Weeds

Even with a well-planned garden, pests and weeds can pop up. Here are a few natural strategies to keep them under control:

• Trap Crops:

  Grow plants like marigold or nasturtiums that attract pests away from your main crops. Then, simply remove these ‘bait’ plants when they’re doing their job too well!

• Mulching:

  Use organic mulch like straw, leaves, or grass clippings to keep weeds at bay. Mulch also retains soil moisture, a big help during dry spells.

• Beneficial Insects:

  Encourage ladybugs, spiders, and predatory wasps to set up home in your garden. They’ll enjoy a buffet of aphids, mites, and other pests that might otherwise take over. You can attract them by planting fennel, dill, and cosmos.

Don’t Forget About Watering

Permaculture gardens are designed to be water-efficient, but some plants will still need occasional watering, especially when they’re getting established. Consider setting up a rainwater harvesting system — even something simple like a few rain barrels can make a difference. In addition, planting drought-tolerant species and using deep-rooted perennials can cut back on watering needs over time.

Advanced Tips for the Ambitious Permaculturalist

If you’re ready to take your permaculture to the next level, consider incorporating these advanced strategies:

• Building a Hugelkultur Bed:

  This is essentially a raised garden bed built out of decaying wood, which provides long-term, slow-releasing nutrients for your plants. Perfect if you have logs or wood debris lying around! It’s a “build it and forget it” type of setup.

• Sheet Mulching:

  To transform a weed-ridden area into fertile ground, try sheet mulching. You’ll layer cardboard, compost, and mulch right on top of existing weeds or grass. It’s a bit like composting on a large scale and works wonders for soil health.

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM):

  Using a combination of practices like crop rotation, beneficial insects, and organic remedies can keep your garden healthy without resorting to chemicals. For instance, alternating rows of onions between rows of carrots can confuse pests that target each crop.

Final Thoughts…

Thanks for sending in your question, Sarah! Starting a permaculture garden, especially in a tricky spot like your partially shaded backyard, might seem intimidating, but with the right plant choices, you’ll be well on your way to creating a thriving, sustainable ecosystem.

Remember that understanding your space, using companion planting, multi-layer techniques, and incorporating perennials and nitrogen fixers are game-changers. Don’t forget about welcoming pollinators and keeping an eye out for pests with natural defense methods. With these tips, your garden won’t just be productive; it’ll be a beautiful, welcoming extension of your home.

Best of luck turning your shady corner into a lush, productive retreat!