Productive On Demand Systems (PODS) from Texas Edible Landscapes
Texas Edible Landscapes specializes in consultation, custom design, and installation of permaculture systems. However, we realize that not everyone has the desire for a full-scale design or they want to start small and grow as time and budget allows. For these people, we introduce P.O.D.S. PODS, short for Productive On Demand Systems can now be purchased and installed immediately since the design work has already been done!
What are PODS?
PODS have been designed to be a self-sustaining micro eco-system. They focus around a central fruit tree and then have supporting features that will work with nature to support that fruit tree while also providing you with more food in the process.
Let’s take a look at what all is included in one of these systems.
- Fruit tree of choice.
- Fixers – Convert Nitrogen and other nutrients into a usable form in the soil that becomes available for your tree. Fixers include:
- Wild white indigo
- Clover
- Vetch
- Black medic
- Legumes
- Alfalfa
- Accumulators – Deep-rooted plants that help break up soil for better water and air penetration, while also bringing to the surface micro-nutrients needed for the soil that was not previously available in the top soil layer. Accumulators include:
- Yarrow
- Comfrey
- Amaranth
- Borage
- Chicory
- Artichoke
- Mexican sunflower
- Comfrey
- Dandelion
- Suppressors – Help prevent the growth of weeds and grasses. These include:
- Clover
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Columbine
- Daffodil
- Chives
- Mulchers – Provide a regular supply of organic matter the soil under the tree as they drop leaves. Can be annuals or perennials. These include:
- Artichoke
- Comfrey
- Rhubarb
- Mexican Sunflower
- Repellers – Plants that repel harmful insects. Good examples are:
- Coriander
- Daisies
- Sweet Alyssum
- Nasturtium
- Mexican Marigold
- Chives
- Daffodils
- Pollinator Attractors – These attract pollinators to your fruit tree, feed the bees and also attract beneficial insects that help with pest control. Great pollinators include:
- Bee Balm
- Calendula
- Crimson Clover
- Echium
- Flowering Quince
- Foxglove
- Poppy
- Salvia
- Sedum
- Sunflowers
- Viburnum
- Yarrow
- Just about any other flowering plant that has pollen and/or nectar
- Ground cover (living mulch) – Provides shade for the soil, protecting it from the harsh sun. Clover is a great ground cover as it is a nitrogen fixer and pollinator attractor. Strawberry is another great option here as it provides food while also acting as a ground cover and pollinator attractor.
Other elements that round out a POD System are vining crops and root crops. Sweet potatoes, wild yams, and muscadines are all great options here.
In Conclusion
What I’ll be doing is putting together ready to go designs that have a central fruit tree as well as all the other necessary elements in a package type product that can be ordered online, with Texas Edible Landscapes delivering and installing for you. There will be standard pricing for each package but customization will be allowed for an additional charge.
We can also put together multiple PODS to create an even bigger ecosystem and even to create a food forest! The possibilities here are endless when thinking about combining different PODS together.
Our first POD System is now live!
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