permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

On 9/30/2011 9:54 PM, Lawrence F. London, Jr. wrote:

> 1) Control of invasive Bermuda Grass is possible using interplanting
> or overseeding of lespedeza, maybe sericea lespedeza, a perennial:
> "Sericea lespedeza spreads primarily by seeds. The method of seed
> dispersal is probably by animals." (wind or runoff).
> This is a wonderful plant. It can take over a field as it provides
> fertility through fixation of atmospheric nitrogen. It will outcompete
> many plants that become problems for farmers or gardeners, i.e. Johnson
> grass, Bermuda grass, redroot pigweed, winter ryegrass, fescue grass,
> crabgrass and many other "weeds" (compostable). It has done this for me
> in a large field I have left fallow and I am grateful for it. I think I
> have it from a deliberate planting I made a long time ago. I bought a
> bag of sericea lespedeza and spread it over about .5 acre. It is
> extremely hardy resisting cold, heat, prolonged rainfall and drought.
> It will thrive in poor, dry, compacted, unfertilized soil where you
> often find Bermuda growing. I am watching an unwanted patch of Bermuda
> disappear within an ever spreading stand of Lespedeza.

Other useful plants to include in a biodiverse system that is to be 
established in a garden or field for habitat, companion, guild, forage, 
weed biocontrol,  or harvest for one reason or another such as material 
for mulch or compost could include the following:
goldenrod, ragweed, wild millet, wild amaranth, ground ivy, burdock, 
curly dock, marsh mallow, wild mustard and many other annual and 
perennial plant species that could serve as food and habitat for 
beneficial creatures and microorganisms or otherwise contribute to the 
food chains in the various ecological zones on site.