Nature adapts to change through genetic diversity. Our habitat can only adjust to climate change if we help it maintain its genetic diversity
Neighborhood Nurseries and learning to save seeds can supply our habitat with plants adapted to our specific climate at no cost.
The goal of a plant propagation cooperative is to spread the practice of planting habitats in suburban landscapes. By arranging plants that work together into guilds we create beautiful landscapes that feature long term fertility, low maintenance, flowers for bees and fruit for people. A cooperative can work in support of the Bee Safe Neighborhood project which is creating groups of neighbors working together to improve the habitat in their neighborhood.
The core of the cooperative is a group of people who plant and grow out the plant species that fit into back yard habitats. We select seeds from plants that have done well in this climate and cuttings and divisions from plants that have done well here. Compared to buying our plants from a breeder, we are increasing the genetic diversity of our landscape. A genetically diverse landscape can more easily respond to environmental changes.
All it takes is someone with some space to keep the plants watered until they are ready to be used. It helps if the space is at least partially shaded. Then, when a cooperative member is thinning out plants they pot up a few and bring them to the nursery. In our cooperative anyone can bring two of something they have and walk away with any one pot already in the nursery. The more the nursery is used the more it grows.
A Cooperative Business Growing Plants
It would also be possible to set up the cooperative as a business. By arranging plants that work together into guilds we create beautiful landscapes that feature long term fertility, low maintenance, flowers for bees and fruit for people. The cooperative could be included as a function within the Reinhabit Cooperative, or work in support of the Bee Safe Neighborhood project which is creating groups of neighbors working together to improve the habitat in their neighborhood.
The core of the cooperative is a group of people who plant and grow out specific desirable plants and select for the genetics that do well in this climate.
Other roles we encourage are:
Designers - When a customer selects a particular arrangement of plants as the template for their garden the designer of that arrangement receives a royalty.
Contractors - When a customer decides to install a forest island they will hire a contractor who will price out the materials, arrange for deliveries and labor, and supervise installation.
Laborers - Co-op members with experience building deep mulch gardens and planting in the deep mulch.
Sales - Co-op members who receive a commission for bringing new customers to the co-op.
Plant Propagators - People who grow the plants.
Land Owners - People can contribute land they own to host the plants the Propagators are growing out. Perhaps a flat rate per plant sold would be an appropriate compensation.
Many of you have heard of the concept of a food forest but, since we are on the high plains, it is best to think of these as forest islands. A forest island is the ideal solution to many suburban landscaping issues. We use a deep mulch of logs and wood chips, up to 24" deep that will create its own soil, requires no fertilizers, no weeding . . .
Learn More about plant propagation:
Seed Saving and Line Breeding
One of nature's key strategies to respond to environmental change is maintaining the genetic diversity of the ecosystem. Unfortunately, the trends are toward decreasing genetic diversity while the risk of climate change is increasing.
Malcolm’s Apple Guild
This is an example of a guild of plants that support each other, and produce flowers for bees and fruit for people.