Polyculture and Sustainable Farming Practices

Simon

Today, we're diving into something really remarkable, and honestly, it's one of the most interesting things I have been looking at over the last couple of years here in southern Hungary. And it has all come from looking at the weeds I have in my growing spaces, trying to understand them and learn of the ways in which I can potentially use them to my advantage.

Simon

Can I grow weeds at the same time as my fruit and veg? Well, I did it last year to some extent and the results were amazing. Another question is this, can it be classed as a form of polyculture? To answer that, we need to understand what it is, so let's dig a little deeper.

Simon

Now, polyculture, if you're not familiar, is all about growing multiple crops together, like a tiny little ecosystem right in your backyard or your farm, if you're thinking bigger. And what makes it so fascinating is how it mimics the natural world. You see, just like a forest isn't just one type of tree, a polyculture garden isn't just one type of crop. It’s a mix of plants that work together to create, well, balance—a kind of harmony.

Simon

But you might ask, what's the big deal about planting a few crops together?Well, the benefits are boundless. For starters, polyculture makes much better use of nutrients in the soil. Different crops use—and replenish—different things. So instead of stripping the soil bare, like monoculture can, polyculture actually helps it thrive. Literally keeping it alive, in a sense.

Simon

It also keeps those pesky pests in check. When you've got a variety of plants, it makes it so much harder for insects or diseases to take over. It’s a bit like trying to pick just one candy in a mixed bag—confusing and, well, just too much effort for them, you know? And there's something else—it encourages biodiversity. A polyculture system can invite all sorts of helpful creatures, like bees and other pollinators, which keeps the whole operation ticking along beautifully.

Simon

Now, historically, polyculture isn’t a newfangled trend. In places like the tropics, it’s actually been part of the tradition for generations. Think of their home gardens—they often mix crops, and not just for variety, but because it ensures they get a wider spread of nutrients from their food. Plus, it creates a sort of safety net. If one plant struggles, another might thrive, keeping food on the table.

Simon

One fascinating example of polyculture taken to the next level is forest gardening. Imagine a garden where every layer—from the tall trees to the leafy greens near the ground—coexists to maximize space. It’s like a vertically stacked polyculture, and honestly, it’s brilliant. Not just for growing food, but for creating a system that feels natural and, dare I say, beautiful. Forest gardens don’t just feed people; they regenerate the land, support wildlife, and create a sense of community around sustainable living.

Simon

So, polyculture is clearly more than just a way to grow food.

Simon

Back to my original point about weeds. If polyculture systems work, then instead of planting a variety of different crops can we also look at the idea of not weeding as much as we have been told to do. I have a lot of lamb's quarter here and also red root aramanth, both edible. But they also draw up nutrients. Last season I allowed some to grow in my squash patch. Not too tall, and I cut them back before flowers were formed, chop them up and dropped them on the ground.

Simon

An instant mulch, helping the soil retain moisture and also putting the nutrients back. We got over eighty kilos last year and still have some in storage.

Simon

So, let's get into the nuts and bolts of how to actually set up a polyculture, because, you know, talking about the benefits is great, but how do we translate all that into action? One way is something called mixed cropping. It’s just what it sounds like—mixing different plants together in the same plot. Simple, right? And it can be as intricate or as straightforward as you like. Even something as classic as mixing lettuce with carrots in a garden bed counts.

Simon

Now I have for years been following this principle and not realised it, and I reckon you might have too. As an example, when I grow my garlic, between each row I also sow carrots, because the smell of the onions stops carrot root fly from diving in and attacking my carrots. Many of us adopt this system and we call it companion planting. So it does work.

Simon

Then there’s strip cropping, or what some folks call row intercropping. Picture a vegetable garden with, say, rows of beans planted right next to rows of corn. This method not only looks quite tidy, but it also ensures that the plants are complementing each other. It’s like they’ve all been matched up on a very clever gardening dating app. And then there's alley cropping—this one’s a bit of a hybrid. You grow annual crops, like squash or beans, in strips between rows of trees or shrubs. Lovely way to work in a bit of agroforestry.

Simon

Right, let’s talk about one of my favorite examples—the three sisters. That’s corn, beans, and squash grown together—and let me tell you, they’ve been having each other's backs for centuries. It’s amazing. The corn shoots up tall, giving the beans something to climb, while the squash sprawls out below, shading the soil to keep it moist and weed-free. And the beans? Well, they just go on fixing nitrogen into the soil like the team player they are. It’s a perfect little symbiosis.

Simon

But what’s really fascinating is how polyculture and crop rotation can team up. For example, you could grow a nitrogen-consuming crop one year, like wheat, and then follow it with a nitrogen-fixer, like clover or peas, as part of a rotation plan. What you’re doing there is keeping the soil healthy without needing tons of synthetic fertilizers. And let’s be honest, these kinds of practices not only make sense—they make farming more resilient overall.

Simon

Alright, let’s dive into the brilliance of polyculture in sustainable farming. You see, polyculture isn’t just about planting a lot of different crops together. It creates this harmony with the environment. For starters, it plays a pretty big role in carbon sequestration. By layering plants with different root depths or arranging trees alongside annual crops, we can trap more carbon in the soil. And that’s not just good for the planet; it’s like giving the soil a health boost. So win-win, yeah?

Simon

Then there’s the matter of pesticides—or rather, the lack of them. With a mix of crops, you automatically throw pests into a bit of chaos. They can’t just stick around and destroy one crop if there are others mixed in. Basically, it’s confusing for them, and we use that to our advantage, reducing our dependency on chemical pesticides. Plus, isn’t it nice to know that the food you’re growing—or eating, for that matter—doesn’t come with a hefty chemical cocktail?

Simon

Speaking of advantages, let’s shift to the economic side. Polyculture makes farms more robust, especially in unpredictable markets. A diversified farm can handle price drops or low yields of one crop because, well, it’s not putting all its eggs—err, seeds—in one basket. And that stability? It gives farmers peace of mind and a more reliable income. That’s huge, especially in today’s world, where market and climate changes can be so disruptive.

Simon

Now, let me share a story about a local farmer—you might find this one inspiring. This farmer started off with monoculture, just rows and rows of the same crop. Over time, they noticed the soil degrading and pests were becoming a nightmare. Then they decided to try polyculture. They planted vegetables side by side with flowering plants and even introduced some fruit trees into the mix. Within just a few seasons, everything transformed. The soil became rich again, pests were under control, and they started seeing a whole array of butterflies and birds coming back to the farm. Productivity went up, and the whole farm became this buzzing little ecosystem. Isn’t that the sort of story we all want for our growing spaces? Biodiversity, improved yields, and a healthier planet to boot.

Simon

So I have used farms as the main example here, but scaling down in size we can perhaps use this method in our own growing spaces.

Simon

So, there you have it—polyculture isn’t just a technique; it’s a philosophy. It’s about working with nature, not battling against it. We’ve talked about everything it offers—better soil health, increased resilience, and even economic benefits. We haven't even talked about the potential time it can save us.

Simon

If you have garden then you are probably already doing this and never thought about. Take a wander outside and just look. Count how many different species of plants you have. I would bet that most of us don't grow just one type of plant or shrub in our gardens so maybe we should do more of the same in our veg patches.

Simon

I hope it’s inspired you to think about how this could fit into your own spaces, big or small. And with that, I think it’s time to wrap up today’s journey. Thanks for joining me, and as always, happy growing!