Park,

You're gonna want a nice mix.
Something for the different layers. Do you want to fit 2 layers of plants beneath your fruit trees? What height are your trees managed at? Will you have space for shrubs as well as ground covers?

With this in mind you'll want plants performing different roles, to go with your edibles: n-fixers (legumes), mineral accumulators/dynamic accumulators (deep rooters), insect attractors (generalist and specialist nectaries), companion plants, as well as low-growing weed-excluding ground covers, these roles can be combined in different ways.
With this all i reckon its good to mix annuals and perennials to early and long-lasting results. I enclose my plant info database.

It would also be useful to find-out how you intend to prepare the ground before planting.

We can talk specifics for sure but it'll be good to get a feel for your goals before we get to this detail.

ATB,
Niels

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rpguthriejr wrote:

Hi Barbara,

I'm new to this listserve. I am also interested in polyculture
guilds. I am trying to figure out the best mix of perennials to
plant underneath fruit trees in my clay soils of Northern
California. Hopefully edibles or medicinals. Any suggestions would
be welcome.

Also, I am involved in several urban ag projects in West Contra
Costa County (San Francisco Bay Area)...mainly Richmond. If anyone
on the list wants to get involved, let me know.

Cheers,
Park

--- In polyculturepeople@yahoogroups.com, Dom <buckwheatpie@...>
wrote:
>
> Does anyone have any advice for the enquirer below?
>
> Please respond to bcharrison21@..., and CC in buckwheatpie@... .
>
> Cheers!
>
> Dom
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Barbara Harrison [mailto:bcharrison21@...]
> Sent: 23 October 2007 14:50
> To: office@...
> Subject: permaculture guilds
>
> I am a graduate student in Community Change and Civic Leadership
with a
> focus on environmental justice and urban agriculture. I am
working on an
> independent study on urban agriculture. Part of my project is
working up a
> design for an urban marginalized community. I would like to
assemble the
> design of the plantings by guilds. I have looked on the internet
for
> listings but have been unsuccessful at locating any. I am mainly
interested
> in fruits, vegetables and
> herbs. Flowers would add a pleasant touch.
>
> Would you have a list that you would be able to e-mail me or be
able to
> refer me to some websites that would have this information?
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> Barb
>
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