Guilds are a close association of species clustered around a central element and may be used on all levels of planting from orchards, floral, herb or kitchen gardens. The combination of plants acts in harmony to create health, stability, and the need for less long-term work in the growing system. Planting with diversity reduces niches for pests, weeds, and allows us to gather several crops from one area in a succession of time and space. In polyculturally guilded plantings species can be mutually beneficial.

Benefits in plant association in guilds
Reduce root competition
Assist pest control
Kill root parasites, predators
Cover soil, provide mulch
Provide nutrients (Legumes release nitrogen, cane (for ex.) releases sugar, and heavy mulchers like banana build humus quickly.)
Physical shelter/shade/windbreak (Nullify hot, salty or fierce winds)
Assist in ease of gathering

80% of plants can co-mingle.
10-15% of species benefit from each other (companion planting).
5% of plants are antagonistic (which can be beneficial. For example, grasses do not like to grow over or around comfrey).

Animals in a guild serve as:
foragers, picking up dropped veggies and fruit
insectivores
mollusk control (snails, etc)
Guard dogs

Beneficial plants in a typical permaculture guild
Insectory plants - the plant is a host for predatory insects which prey on crop pests.
Ex. Lavender, heather, crotalaria, flowers of all kinds.
Sacrificial plant - Pest attack this plant preferentially. Other plants nearby are less likely to get eaten.
Insect Deterrent - This plant is not attractive to different insects.
Ex. Marigolds, dill, nasturtium, basil, lemongrass, cilantro, etc. (Usually aromatic plants)
Leguminous plant - This plant fixes nitrogen, providing natural 'fertilizer' to surrounding plants and strengthening the soil.
Ex. Crotalaria, pigeon pea, perennial peanut, willi-will, caliandra, bush beans, lima beans, soy beans (edamame) etc.
Trellis plant - This plant may provide the space for climbers (such as beans or tomato) to grow vertically.
Ex: Willi-willi, etc.
Fruit tree - This may be your last succession tree; the climax of the guild which may eventually shade the neighboring plants out. Keep in mind how big your fruit trees will get, when they will fruit, how much room they take up, how the soil drainage and site location is for the particular species, etc.

"About 80-85% of all plant nutrients are held in the vegetation in tropical areas, and crops therefore cannot be sustainable without the nutrient from tree leaf-drop and root mass. Soil organisms will build up only after shrubs and trees are established."
- Bill Mollison, Intro To Permaculture

Mulching covers the bare soil to avoid nutrient and water loss and keeps weeds away without the use of chemical herbicides. Using resources (mulch matter) close to the place where we are planting is easy and free! It is beneficial to plant things like banana or nitrogen-fixing plants like willi-willi IN your guilds: your mulch will be close and regenerative.

» Animals, Drylands, and Urban Design
» Appropriate Technology
» Building Locally and Appropriately
» Community & Economics
» Compost
» Definitions & Ethics
» Global Permaculture and Staying Connected
» Guilding, Stacking, Mulching
» Herb Spiral & Medicinals
» Land Access & Urban Systems
» Methodologies of Design and the Core Model
» Native Forests, Niches, Energy Sinks, Edge
» Permaculture Principles
» Seed Saving, Propagation, & GMOs
» Soil Regeneration
» Water Cycling, Flows, Aquaculture
» Zones, Sectors, Flow, & Patterns