In a forest, there are seven vertical layers (Gaia’s Garden), each with a type of plant that can occupy the same horizontal space. The layers, from the top down, are:

1. Tall-Tree Layer - Large, not densely leafed fruit and nut trees. Lets in plenty of light for the remaining garden. These trees define the pattern of the rest of the garden, so choose carefully.
2. Low-Tree Layer - Dwarf and semidwarf versions of the fruit and nut trees in layer 1, but can also include flowering trees that generate lots of mulch. This layer might also act as the canopy layer in a small garden.
3. Shrub Layer - Blueberries, hazelnut, bamboo, etc. These can have a specific function ranging from food production, ornamental, bird/insect attractor, etc.
4. Herb Layer - Any nonwoody vegetation: vegetables, flowers, herbs, cover crops, and mulch/spoil building plants.
5. Ground-Cover Layer - Plants like strawberry, clover. Used as weed prevention, soil protection and mulch.
6. Vine Layer - Climbing plants that go up the trunks of trees in the third-dimension. Grapes, kiwifruit, honeysuckle, squash, cucumbers, etc.
7. Root Layer - This layer goes down into the soil. Shallow roots like garlic are better than deeper roots liek carrot because they take less digging.
8. BONUS: Fungi Layer - Mushrooms grow on all the things.

Citations

#permaculture #toolong