Plant Profiles¶
Purpose¶
Each plant profile describes the ecological function of a species within the NoMad's Farm ecosystem.
Plants are evaluated not only as food crops but also as biological tools capable of influencing:
- soil structure;
- water retention;
- nutrient cycling;
- biological activity;
- biomass production.
Baylovo adds a practical learning layer: the project now participates in an already-working system. The objective is to observe, improve efficiency and introduce new crops carefully, not to pretend the old plan vanished into the compost heap.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)¶
Primary Function¶
Deep-rooted perennial nitrogen-fixing plant.
Root Architecture¶
Deep taproot.
Typical depth:
Year 1: 0.5-1.0 m
Year 2+: 1-3+ m
Ecological Functions¶
Soil Decompaction¶
Roots penetrate compacted layers.
After root death:
- channels remain;
- water infiltration improves;
- aeration increases.
Nutrient Mining¶
Extracts nutrients from deeper horizons:
- calcium;
- magnesium;
- potassium;
- trace minerals.
Nitrogen Fixation¶
Symbiosis with Rhizobium bacteria.
Contributes biologically available nitrogen.
Water Requirements¶
Low to moderate after establishment.
Biomass Production¶
Moderate above ground.
High below-ground value.
Suitable Combinations¶
- Amaranth
- Clover
- Phacelia
- Buckwheat
- Vetch
Expected Long-Term Effect¶
| Period | Expected Effect |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Improved rooting depth |
| Year 2 | Improved infiltration |
| Year 3+ | Visible improvement in soil structure |
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.)¶
Primary Function¶
Biomass generation, edible leaves and seed production.
Project Role¶
The 2026 focus is seed and observation:
- Red Garnet;
- Green Garnet.
Priority order:
Seed first
Observation second
Food third
Mulch fourth
This is not because food is unimportant. It is because local seed capacity is a force multiplier, and humans keep forgetting those exist until they run out of seed packets.
Root Architecture¶
Taproot.
Typical depth:
0.5-1.5 m
depending on soil conditions.
Ecological Functions¶
Carbon Production¶
Produces large quantities of:
- stems;
- leaves;
- roots.
Mulch Production¶
Can generate substantial on-site organic matter.
Soil Shading¶
Reduces:
- evaporation;
- soil temperature;
- weed pressure.
Water Requirements¶
Low to moderate.
Good drought tolerance.
Biomass Production¶
Very high.
Human Use¶
- edible leaves;
- edible seeds;
- sprouts.
Suitable Combinations¶
- Alfalfa
- Clover
- Phacelia
- Buckwheat
- Sunflower
- Sorghum
Expected Long-Term Effect¶
| Period | Expected Effect |
|---|---|
| Year 1 | Seed collection and mulch production |
| Year 2+ | Improved local adaptation and organic matter accumulation |
Nettle (Urtica dioica)¶
Primary Function¶
Existing perennial biomass, compost feedstock and mineral-rich leafy material.
Project Role¶
Baylovo already contains nettle. The objective is not to erase it, but to use it intelligently.
Useful outputs:
- mulch;
- compost;
- liquid fertilizer trials;
- mineral-rich biomass;
- insect and pollinator habitat;
- edible young leaves where appropriate.
Ecological Functions¶
Biomass Production¶
Nettle can regrow after cutting and produce repeated biomass cycles.
Soil Cover¶
Dense stands can protect soil from exposure and reduce disturbance.
Nutrient Cycling¶
Cut biomass can be returned to compost or used as mulch.
Management Notes¶
- Cut before unwanted seed spread if needed.
- Keep productive patches.
- Avoid treating all nettle as a weed.
Lapad (Rumex patientia)¶
Primary Function¶
Existing edible perennial leafy biomass.
Project Role¶
Baylovo already contains lapad. This makes it part of the existing working system, not a problem to be bulldozed because a spreadsheet got excited.
Useful outputs:
- early green leaves;
- edible biomass;
- mulch;
- compost feedstock;
- living soil cover.
Ecological Functions¶
Early Growth¶
Provides early-season leaf mass before many annual crops are established.
Soil Protection¶
Perennial presence helps keep the soil occupied and biologically active.
Biomass Cycling¶
Surplus leaves can be cycled into compost or mulch.
Management Notes¶
- Harvest selectively.
- Keep useful patches.
- Control spread only where it blocks priority crop beds.
Butternut Squash (Cucurbita moschata)¶
Primary Function¶
Storage food crop and living ground cover.
Project Role¶
The river field near Baylovo currently has a small pumpkin area. The practical direction is to increase butternut squash where water, access and labor allow.
Ecological Functions¶
- shades soil;
- suppresses weeds after establishment;
- produces storable food;
- leaves residues for biomass cycling.
Management Notes¶
- Keep the system simple in the first season.
- Observe water demand and pest pressure.
- Record storage performance.
Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia)¶
Primary Function¶
Microbial stimulation and pollinator support.
Root Architecture¶
Fibrous root system.
Highly branched.
Ecological Functions¶
Root Exudates¶
Produces sugars and organic compounds supporting:
- bacteria;
- fungi;
- soil food web development.
Pollinator Support¶
Provides nectar resources for:
- bees;
- beneficial insects;
- predator insects.
Surface Soil Improvement¶
Creates dense network of fine root channels.
Water Requirements¶
Low.
Biomass Production¶
Moderate.
Suitable Combinations¶
- Alfalfa
- Amaranth
- Buckwheat
Expected Long-Term Effect¶
Higher biological activity.
Clover (Trifolium spp.)¶
Primary Function¶
Living mulch and nitrogen fixation.
Root Architecture¶
Dense shallow rooting.
Ecological Functions¶
Permanent Cover¶
Protects soil from:
- erosion;
- overheating;
- moisture loss.
Nitrogen Fixation¶
Provides continuous biological nitrogen contribution.
Soil Cooling¶
Reduces summer soil temperatures and evaporation.
Water Requirements¶
Low to moderate.
Biomass Production¶
Moderate.
Suitable Combinations¶
- Alfalfa
- Amaranth
- orchard systems
Expected Long-Term Effect¶
Improved moisture retention and surface stability.
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)¶
Primary Function¶
Phosphorus mobilization and rapid soil cover.
Root Architecture¶
Medium-depth fibrous root system.
Ecological Functions¶
Nutrient Availability¶
Root exudates improve access to:
- phosphorus;
- micronutrients.
Rapid Soil Coverage¶
Fast establishment.
Useful for weed suppression and surface protection.
Pollinator Support¶
Strong flowering resource.
Water Requirements¶
Moderate.
Biomass Production¶
Moderate.
Human Use¶
Edible seed.
Suitable Combinations¶
- Alfalfa
- Amaranth
- Phacelia
Expected Long-Term Effect¶
Improved nutrient cycling.
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum)¶
Primary Function¶
Low-input food production.
Root Architecture¶
Deep taproot.
Ecological Functions¶
Nitrogen Fixation¶
Moderate biological nitrogen contribution.
Drought Adaptation¶
Well suited for:
- dry summers;
- poor soils;
- limited irrigation.
Water Requirements¶
Very low compared to many annual food crops.
Biomass Production¶
Low to moderate.
Human Yield¶
High relative to resource input.
Suitable Combinations¶
- Buckwheat
- Amaranth
- cover crop rotations
Expected Long-Term Effect¶
Useful food crop with moderate soil-building contribution.
Future Profiles¶
Planned additions:
- Sorghum
- Sunflower
- Lentils
- Jerusalem Artichoke
- Comfrey
- Vetch
- Millet
- Field Peas
- White Mustard
- Daikon Radish
- Onion
- Garlic
- Horseradish
- Dandelion