plantation

Apr 5, 2026 · 9 zones analysed

Food forest & edibles

Before & Concept

Concept is illustrative — not a build spec

Recommended Plants

6 plants

Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)

Rear-left corner of mulched bed near bamboo fence

Nitrogen-fixing companion for the central fruit tree; edible seeds; chop-and-drop mulch biomass; windbreak along fence

Sunlight

Full sun

Watering

Low; drought tolerant once established

Soil

Tolerates poor sandy Florida soil; no amendment needed

Maintenance

Chop to 12 in each spring for chop-and-drop mulch; resprouts vigorously

Spacing

One plant; allow 5 ft diameter spread

Seasonal

Seeds ripen Nov-Feb; harvest pods when plump and green

Tips

Nearly pest-free; avoid waterlogged soil to prevent root rot

Barbados Cherry / Acerola (Malpighia emarginata)

Right bamboo fence line, 2-3 plants running mid to back-right

Highest vitamin-C fruit; multiple annual fruiting flushes; forms productive privacy hedge along fence; benefits from nearby Pigeon Pea nitrogen

Sunlight

Full sun to light shade

Watering

Moderate; weekly until established, then reduce to biweekly

Soil

Well-drained sandy or loamy; top-dress with compost annually

Maintenance

Light pruning after each fruiting flush to maintain hedge shape

Spacing

8 ft between plants along fence line

Seasonal

Multiple fruiting flushes spring through fall; near year-round in Zone 10

Tips

Monitor for scale insects; treat with neem oil; avoid overhead watering to reduce fungal issues

Okinawa Spinach (Gynura crepioides)

Ground layer around base of central young tree in mulched bed

Year-round edible groundcover in Zone 10 heat; tolerates understory shade; weed suppressor; nutritious leaves for salads and cooking

Sunlight

Partial shade to full sun; thrives under fruit tree canopy

Watering

Moderate; keep evenly moist; mulch retains moisture well

Soil

Rich, well-draining mulched bed soil; already ideal in this bed

Maintenance

Harvest outer leaves regularly; trim back if spreading beyond drip-line zone

Spacing

18-24 in between plants; 3-4 plants filling 6 ft radius around tree

Seasonal

Year-round production; no dormancy in Zone 10

Tips

Virtually pest-free; use diatomaceous earth for slugs in wet season

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)

Left-front edge of mulched bed at lawn-to-bed transition

Culinary staple; aromatic pest deterrent; permanent low-maintenance clump; anchors herb zone and marks bed boundary

Sunlight

Full sun

Watering

Moderate; drought tolerant once established

Soil

Any well-drained soil; existing mulched bed is ideal

Maintenance

Harvest outer stalks at ground level; divide clump every 2-3 years

Spacing

One clump; allow 3 ft diameter

Seasonal

Year-round growth and harvest in Zone 10; no frost concern

Tips

No serious pests; natural repellent for mosquitoes and aphids

Dwarf Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora)

Front-right corner of mulched bed, 5 ft from central tree

Florida-adapted fruiting shrub; twice-yearly fruit production; drought tolerant; ecological host plant; completes understory layer at bed edge

Sunlight

Full sun to partial shade

Watering

Low to moderate; very drought tolerant once established

Soil

Sandy, well-drained Florida soil; heavy mulch around base

Maintenance

Minimal pruning; can be shaped as informal hedge

Spacing

One plant; allow 5-6 ft diameter

Seasonal

Fruits twice yearly spring and fall; harvest when deep red-black for sweetest flavor

Tips

Nearly pest-free; net shrub if birds take fruit before ripening

Perennial Peanut (Arachis pintoi)

Throughout open gaps in mulched bed as living groundcover carpet

Nitrogen-fixing living mulch; weed suppressor; no-mow evergreen ground layer; yellow flowers year-round; synergistic with all other plantings

Sunlight

Full sun to light shade

Watering

Very low; extremely drought tolerant once established

Soil

Sandy Florida soil ideal; thrives without fertilizer or amendment

Maintenance

Nearly zero; trim edges annually to contain to bed

Spacing

Plugs 12 in apart; fills entire bed in one growing season

Seasonal

Year-round evergreen ground layer in Zone 10; continuous yellow bloom

Tips

No serious pests or diseases; avoid any herbicide applications in bed

Full Plan

Cross-check with a local nursery

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