What plants can I grow underneath my fruit trees to create a guild that will support them? [Jack, Cooma, NSW]
I would start with plants that assist in pollination, perform the role of pest control and don’t compete with the tree. Perennials that flower just prior to and during each fruit tree flowering time will invite bees, pollinating the fruit and providing you with a harvest. Plants with daisy or umbel-shaped flowers are favoured by common predatory insects, so a handful of them in your guild during fruiting season can minimise damage. Shallow-rooting plants minimise competition for water and nutrients (with the exception of grasses). You may already have plants in your garden playing these roles, so cluster those species under your fruit to form a guild. [Justin]