SELECION DE PLANTAS TEMPLADO

Here we look at the Temperate zones of Chile. Have a look at this map to see where the global Temperate areas are. The southern temperate zone extends from the Tropic of Capricorn (just north of Antofogasta)  to the Antarctic Circle (at approximately 66.5 degrees south latitude) wee south of Chile.

These are the relatively cold and humid climates. They differ from drylands – where annual precipitation exceeds evaporation and differ from the tropics – with the presence of frosts. Temperate includes Mediterranean and polewards to the boreal forests.

In this section we have included Subtropical systems because much of northern Chile, including Santiago - while definately not Tropical, lies inside the subtropical zone and will support the growth of many subtropical species.

We will create a separate information source here for subtropical and Mediterranean.

Here in this map of Biomes (and the related material) you can see where the Temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical zones fit together. Notice how Chile the gradient goes from Temperate broadleaf forests in the south, to Subtropical forests, to Mediterranean, and Dryland in the north.  

OBSERVATION IS THE KEY

Before we can be good designers we need to develop pattern understanding of the environment around us. This means learning to listen. Kay Baxter from New Zealand says if you spend a year learning the basics and listening to your landscape, you will do a much better job of designing than if you just rush into it. Here is Kays design process; (a) develop a basic understanding of sustainable design, (b) collect information about the site (soil, water etc) and client (vision and goals), (c) decide where you will put the orchard, shelter, fencing, drainage and animals, (d) list the type of species you want, (e) define zones for different guilds, (f) choose specific varieties adapted to local conditions or with the charachteristics you want, (g) plant your trees. 

SPECIES GUILDS

Kay divides species for these climates into five main groups based on their specific needs below. They should be grouped together appropriately in your orchard.

1. Deciduous - for the coldest places, tolerating heavy soils and wind, and most tolerant in terms of fluctuating wet and dry soil conditions. Good plants to include in a Guild with these species are include Comfrey, clover, parsnip, spring bulbs, violets, ducks, pigs, borage, phacelia, yarrow, alfalfa, tansy and vetch.  

2. Guavas and Feijoas - both from south america they are between citrus and deciduous, with shallow feeder roots, but tolerate more wind and cold than citrus.

3. Citrus - these require hot sunny places that are free-draining but always moist. With shallow feeder roots they dont like to dry out or get wterlogged.

4. Subtopicals - these require sheltered, still and warm conditions, enclosed and humid. They like free draining, but always moist.

5. Mediterranean - they love th heat, very happy in exposed, dry, bondy conditions. They usually have a deep tap root so require irrigation to establish. The guilds that support Mediterranean species include thyme, lavander, rosemary and sage among others.  

SPECIES SUGGESTIONS

Here is a long list of possible species for this zone. You will need to research each individually for its specific needs. This information can easily be found on the internet by seacrhing for a common name. If you find the common name you will usually find a scientific name also. This should enable you to find information in your own language. Then you will have to find out where these species are in your area or in Chile. We have been looking for Comfrey now for almost two years, first discivering that here it is called Consuelda, and then finding it growing at the coast in Cobquecura. We took some roots and tried to establish them here in El Manzano...will keep you posted.     

Edible flowers

Sage, Pumpkin (Curcurbits), Sunflower (flowerhead can be baked whole), Magnolia, Artichokes, Elderflowers, Bluebells, Calendulas, Cornflowers, Hibiscus pelagoniums, Garland Nasturtiums, Chrysanthemums (medicinal), Citrus flowers, Brassica flowers (such as brocolli and turnip flowers), Borage, Amaranthus, Violets, Fushia, Gladioli, Banana (cooked after treated by soaking).

Sweetners

Tea Tree, Lemon Scented tea tree, violets, Orris Root (Melalueca (Leptospermum alternifolia) Petersonii), Lemon grass, Sweet fennel (dulcis var.), Alpine strawberry leaves, Chamomile.

Chicken feed and medicine

Mainly protein (snails and insects) for healthy diet, Pigeon Pea, wormwood, Accacia pumpkin longifolia, clover seed, cleavers, grasses and, dandelion weeds, melon and, garlic ramblers -after harvest sunflowers, fenne, Evening primrose seeds.

Root Crops

Potato, camote, garlic, onions, burdock, carrots, beetroot, parsnip etc.

Edible Groundcovers

Yarrow (medicinal), Chamomile (medicinal tea), strawberries, New Zealand Spinach, mint, woodruff (flavouring), prostrate grevillia (nectar for cordial), Marjoram.

Tall grasses, herbs and canes

Blueberries, raspberries, Taro, Beans, Peas, Monstera, Spinach, Milo (type of Sorghum), Popping Sorghum Corn, Wheat, Rye, wormwood, perenial Capsicum, Bush Tomatoes, Sage, Oregano, Sugar Cane, Banana.

Shrubs

Blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries, cranberry, blackberry, Chilean Avellana, black and red currants, Hazelnut, Tamarillo (frost sensitive), Coffee, Tea.

Vines

Passionfruit (sweet and banana), Kiwifruit (1 Male 2 female), Basella, varieties of grape

Edible Trees

Blue Lilly pilly, Pigeon Pea - soil conditioner edible fruit, Indigenous, and edible pods windbreak, birds. Mulberry alba and nigra - choose different varieties. Moreton Bay fig, Sandpaper Banana - fruits fig Bunya pine (huge tree with large and dangerous fruits up to 35kg each, do not plant near homes or paths). Monstera Deliociosa - (many Australians call this Monsterio). Chestnut Avocado -easily grown from seed. Walnut Lemon - grow from seed Chinotto Orange Native or introduced. Hibiscus (flowers) - seed or cutting Mango. Olives - cutting or seed. Macadamia Illawarra Plum Mountain Paw Paw - Damson (Babaco, also known as champagne fruit). Pistachio, Hazelnut, Almond, Saba Nut, Pecan (need male and female), Pear Rambutan, Grapefruit, Native Guava, Persimmon, Orange (including Seville and Valencia orange), Mandarine (try to obtain early, middle and late varities), Cherry (best in temperate areas, may need anti-aivary), Barbados Cherry (suits subtropics), Feijoa Ice Cream, Bean Apple Smaller harvest from these below- Arbutus unedo - Irish suitable for large sites - increases diversity, strawberry tree, Jak fruit, Japanese Raisan Tree, Linden, Gingko, Lemonade, Italian Pine Medlar Stone Pine Natal Cherry Date Palm Nashi Wine Palm Lychee Walking stick Palm Cabbage Tree Palm (indigenous) Pomelo Wild Date Palm (also windbreak) click here for a good story about Carob (in a dry micro-climate) Silver Birch (edible syrup) Pomegrantes Sugar Maple Magnolia (edible flowers) windbreak Fruit Fly prone trees [Must be planted within chicken forage areas] Quince Plum custard Apple Paw Paw - papaya apricot Peach Loquat Nectarine.

Useful Trees

(all indigenous species support beneficial micro-organisms). All trees part of wind channelling toward windmill and away from housing

Illawarra Flame (indigenous) flowers, birds, native bees, mulch, windbreak, deep rooted.

Red Cedar (Toona Australis) Rare indigenous tree, suited to wetter zone, deciduous, good windbreak. Plant only one by itself.

Small grevillia, steep flowers for cordial, bird attractant and other Natural insect predators.

Banksia Cauarina - nitrogen fixing

Lemon Scented tea tree -tea, antiseptic, bee forage

Grevillia robusta - timber and bee and edible nectar

Elm - 2 varieties or more Boobialla (soft edible fruit) bird attractant, bushy, windbreak and screen.

Agati (African tree has edible leaves and pods)

Acacias

Acacias are a lagre family of legume trees. Among many other useful functions they are often nitrogen fixers. For a useful article on Acacias clik here. And here for a list of useful Acacia Trees.  

Acacia acuminata (seed) A. Coriacea (seed) A. Holosericea (seed) A. Kempeana (seed and witchety grub) A. Notabilis (seed) A. Oswaldi (seed) A. Retinodes (seed) A. Victoriae (seed) A. Aneura (seed and edible Galls), Acacia main winter forage for bees, good pioneer species, soil conditioning and kindling for wood fire, Blueberry Ash (indigenous). Pine leaf Gebung (winter bee forage).

Click Here for some Water-Loving Vegetables.

Click Here for  Temperate Legumes as Leaf Vegetables

RESOURCES

Click here for more information about Temperate Permaculture.