permaculture

[Lawrence London <lfljvenaura@gmail.com>]

Polyculture Pattern Language: Nitrogen Fixation Patterns - The Permaculture
Research Institute
January 21, 2016 by Eric Toensmeier
<http://permaculturenews.org/author/erictoensmeier/>
http://permaculturenews.org/2016/01/21/polyculture-pattern-language-nitrogen-fixation-patterns/

(this is quite an article and the comments are wonderful, thought provoking)

These comments in particular:

Edgar Phillips-Jones <https://www.facebook.com/edgar.phillipsjones> ·
Carlisle, Massachusetts
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carlisle-Massachusetts/104020146302653>
Implementation Pattern/understory pattern: It seems this likely has a
competitive advantage when innoculated seed is sown into carbon-rich,
slightly decomposed media (clover sown in woodchips). Later it is overrun
by species that are taller once the conditions change and it's advantage
slips away. Perhaps this is widely understood..haven't heard it mentioned
and think it's cool...belongs on Oikos wiki. Curious if this pattern is
observed outside New England.
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· 3 · Jan 21, 2016 7:42am
<http://permaculturenews.org/2016/01/21/polyculture-pattern-language-nitrogen-fixation-patterns/?fb_comment_id=865643483552421_865929713523798>
Mike Hoag <https://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Hoag/100010704363250> ·
Managing Director
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Managing-Director/183861164967987> at Lillie
House <https://www.facebook.com/Lillie-House-978392448898973/>
Very good... Interesting work as always.

How about two common systems where nitrogen fixers are somewhat
externalized to the prime growing environment:

Fertilizing borders. This is essentially the old "garden in clearings"
pattern identified by Mollison, related to traditional patterns of swidden
agriculture and hedgerows. It almost seems to go without saying that such
systems of deriving fertility from contiguous or bordering forest systems
includes nitrogen fixers. Organizations like Grow Biodynamic (and others)
have recommended hedgerows as means of fulfilling ecological functions such as
nitrogen fixation and production of carbonaceous material. I've also seen
recommendations of alder and sea buckthorn in many older sources on French
and English hedgerows, without mention of nitrogen fixation. However, it
was understood that hedgerows provided services to farmers. We designed our
forest gardens with surrounding hedgerows with a large percentage of
eleagnus, with this in mind, then used irregular intercropping as well
where appropriate.

Nitrogen upland: Another traditional pattern recognized by Mollison is the
upland fertility forest which seeps downhill to fertile cropland or water
systems - a system widely documented. Such forests again could be
established or maintained with a percentage of nitrogen fixers. I'd be
somewhat surprised to learn that this was not an evoloved part of how such
systems were established/maintained.
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· 1 · Jan 21, 2016 7:51am
<http://permaculturenews.org/2016/01/21/polyculture-pattern-language-nitrogen-fixation-patterns/?fb_comment_id=865643483552421_865933803523389>
Mike Hoag <https://www.facebook.com/people/Mike-Hoag/100010704363250> ·
Managing Director
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/Managing-Director/183861164967987> at Lillie
House <https://www.facebook.com/Lillie-House-978392448898973/>
Could also mention the "woodland tapestry" patterns of Eastern Europe with
both of those two externalized nitrogen fixing systems.

-
I would like to add that eleagnus is very hardy and contributes
significantly to a forest ecosystem and as "nitrogen upland"
and lespedeza (if I have ID's it right, serecea lespedeza), also extremely
hardy, may also be a valuable component of a "nitrogen upland" system.
In the 1980's I bought a bag of serecea lespedeza seed and sowed it into a
fallow field. Years later it nearly covered half the field and had spread
to other locations on my property, where I wanted it anyway. The other day
I noticed a large healthy stand at the dge of my driveway. Soil conditions
were compacted ABC rock aggregate. These were large vigouous plants
(bushes).
that should be used in any xeriscape plantings in areas prone to drought,.