One method to keep weeds from competing with what you've chosen to plant is 'chop and drop', or chopping excess foliage from nearby plants and dropping them as mulch. This method serves several permaculture principles - the use of on-site resources and catching and storing energy by using existing plant material to both protect desirable plants and provide nutrient support as it breaks down. Since the mulch both keeps weeds down and provides nutrients, the method also serves multiple functions in the system.
Below is an example of comfrey, a dynamic nitrogen accumulator, which was planted next to an apple tree seedling, to use as a nutrient rich mulch to support the seedling's growth. We've used this method in our garden to keep weeds from growing (the mulch blocks sunlight) and to keep cycling nutrients on site. One example is rhubarb leaves - since they are poisonous to us, we can't eat them, but their wide leaves make great mulch for the garden and end up putting their nutrients back into the soil. There is a great thread with more information and examples on Permies.com here.
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