"Growing in Harmony" an article in the San Francisco Chronicle yesterday talks about "garden guilds," plants that offer support to one another when grown in the same area. An example they give is the Orchard Guild: Apple tree for fruit, also gives shade to the spinach and acts as a trellis for runner beans; Runner beans give nitrogen to the soil, and is the protein to eat; Strawberries are ground cover (providing moisture to soil and fruit); and finally Spinach, which also retains moisture in the soil and gives healthy greens to eat.

It is a simple idea, but I love that economy of space and effort that this sort of thinking encourages. I recommend reading the whole article for more fun examples. 

I do have gardens on the brain these days, as I'm heading up to Oregon to Play Farm for the summer... Apparently seeds and garden plots are anxiously awaiting us.