THE RHYTHM OF SUMMER IN THE FOOD FOREST
January is the height of summer in New Zealand, a time of abundant sunshine and warmth that brings the food forest to life. In a syntropic agroforestry system, this is also a period of both active growth and maintenance, ensuring that the ecosystem remains healthy and productive throughout the season. Syntropic agroforestry is based on principles of biodiversity, ecological succession, and soil regeneration, and in January, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the rapid growth, manage the diverse plant species, and fine-tune your system for long-term resilience.
Here’s a guide to some key tasks to focus on in your syntropic food forest during January:
1. Monitor and Manage Watering
New Zealand summers can be dry, particularly in the North Island, so water management is critical during January. In a syntropic system, you want to avoid over-watering, but you also need to ensure that your plants have access to the moisture they need to thrive during the hotter months. Only younger or struggling systems are likely to need watering as a healthy food forest is generally very drought tolerant.
• Mulch layers: Make sure the mulch around your plants is thick and well-maintained. This helps reduce water evaporation and keeps the soil cooler, especially during the midday heat. Mulch also contributes to building soil health as it decomposes.
• Swales and water-harvesting features: If you’ve incorporated swales, ponds, or other water retention systems into your food forest, check them for effectiveness. Ensure swales are not blocked and that water is able to percolate into the soil, especially if you’ve had heavy rain or dry spells. Depending on your local climate, you could also try sandbagging your swales to catch and retain water towards the end of spring (after the heaviest of the Spring rains).
• Watering systems: If you’re using irrigation, monitor the system to ensure it’s still functioning well. Consider setting up drip irrigation to provide targeted watering to trees and perennials.
2. Prune and Trim for Airflow and Light Penetration
January is a time of vigorous growth in the food forest, and while the lush foliage is beautiful, it can also lead to overcrowding and reduced airflow. This can contribute to fungal diseases and reduce light penetration, slowing down the growth of understory plants and crops.
• Prune fruit trees: Thin out any dense growth in your fruit trees to allow more light to reach the understory plants. Pruning can also help reduce the risk of disease and pests by improving airflow.
• Cut back vines and fast-growing plants: Some species, like certain legumes or climbing plants, can grow rapidly in the summer heat. Regularly cutting them back will prevent them from overwhelming other plants.
• Remove dead or diseased growth: Check for any dead or yellowing leaves, particularly in your fruiting plants, and remove them to reduce the chance of fungal or pest issues.
3. Harvest Fruits and Vegetables
One of the most satisfying tasks in January is the harvest. With summer in full swing, many of your fruit trees, bushes, and annual crops will be producing ripe and abundant yields.
• Harvest fruit: Apples, plums, pears, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are some of the fruits that typically ripen in January. Be sure to harvest regularly to encourage further production and prevent overripe fruit from attracting pests.
• Pick vegetables: In your young systems if you have vegetables then all the summer plants such as tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers, and beans are at their peak in January. Regular harvesting encourages new growth and prevents plants from becoming overburdened, which can decrease fruit quality.
• Pick herbs: Harvest herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and parsley to encourage fresh growth. Many herbs will benefit from regular trimming, and this will ensure you have an abundant supply throughout the summer.
4. Weed Management and Groundcover Maintenance
Even in a syntropic agroforestry system, some weeding will be necessary. However, the primary goal is to manage and suppress weeds naturally through groundcovers and mulch, which are key elements of syntropic design.
• Check for invasive weeds: Although your system may already be set up with groundcovers, you’ll still need to periodically check for fast-growing invasive weeds, particularly in areas where you’ve recently planted or where mulch may have thinned. I cut the weeds at soil level if necessary, especially those that are competing with your crops for space and nutrients.
• Maintain groundcovers: Ensure that your groundcover plants—such as clover, comfrey, and creeping thyme—are thriving and covering the soil to reduce weed growth and keep the soil cool. These plants are also beneficial for soil fertility and moisture retention.
5. Soil Health Maintenance and Fertilization
In a syntropic system, soil health is at the core of the food forest’s success. January is a great time to check in on your soil’s condition and ensure that your system is continuing to build fertility.
• Add organic compost: While syntropic agroforestry relies on natural soil-building processes, if you have a young or struggling food froest, you can still boost fertility with some well-balanced compost. Make sure to use compost that is rich in microorganisms and nutrients to support ongoing soil regeneration.
• Check for soil compaction: Walk around the food forest and check areas that may have become compacted due to foot traffic or heavy rains. Consider gently loosening the soil with a broad fork or aerating the soil to improve water infiltration and root growth.
• Use biochar or green manures: If you’ve integrated biochar into your system, check to see if it needs replenishing or adding to new areas. Green manures, like nitrogen-fixing legumes, can also be planted in between harvests to replenish nitrogen levels in the soil.
6. Control Pests and Encourage Beneficial Insects
While syntropic agroforestry encourages a balanced ecosystem where pests and predators maintain a natural equilibrium, some intervention may be needed to protect your crops in the peak summer season.
• Monitor pests: Look for signs of pest damage, particularly aphids, caterpillars, and scale insects. Many syntropic food forests attract a wide variety of beneficial insects, but sometimes pest populations can get out of hand. Use organic and non-toxic pest control methods, such as neem oil, insecticidal soap, or introducing predatory insects like ladybugs or lacewings.
• Support pollinators: Encourage bees and other pollinators by planting additional flowering plants and herbs, particularly those that bloom in the height of summer. Plants like sunflowers, lavender, and borage are particularly attractive to bees and can support overall pollination in your food forest.
The ducks have definitely helped me with slugs, snails, and caterpillars this year, the only challenge we’ve had is with the giant willow aphid which we have been managing with neem oil. I have found that we do need to spray every few weeks during the warm weather to keep on top of these or they make a full comeback. Pests and disease are the way your garden tells you that something isn’t quite right, so they are a great learning tool if you take the time to listen and observe what they are trying to tell you.
7. Plant New Crops for Continued Harvest
In syntropic agroforestry, the goal is to always have plants at different stages of growth. January is a good time to think ahead to the cooler months and plant crops that will continue producing through autumn and winter.
• Succession planting: Plant crops like peas, kale, brassicas, or leafy greens that will continue growing in the cooler months. These crops will take advantage of the still-warm soil to establish themselves before autumn arrives.
• Cover crops: If you have areas of your food forest that are not currently planted with edible crops, consider sowing cover crops like clover, vetch, or mustard to improve soil structure and fertility. These will protect bare soil and contribute to the long-term health of your system.
8. Observe and Adjust
January is a great time to take a step back and assess the overall health and growth of your food forest. Spend some time observing how different species are interacting, check for any imbalances, and adjust your approach as necessary.
• Assess plant health: Are there any signs of nutrient deficiencies or pest infestations? Do certain plants need more light or space? Use your observations to make small adjustments, such as repositioning plants, adding support for climbing vines, or providing additional shade where needed.
• Track biodiversity: Take note of the insects, birds, and animals in your food forest. Are you seeing more pollinators? Do you have enough predators to control pests naturally? Increasing biodiversity should be a continual goal of your syntropic system.
Wishing you a magickal month in your food forest.