Mediterranean Guild Gardening: Figs, Grapes, Olives & Companions | Mastering the Garden

What do olives, grapes, figs, and lavender all have in common? They're part of the sun-loving, drought-tolerant crew that thrive in Mediterranean climates—and today we’re designing a whole guild around them.

In this episode, I explore what it means to plant perennials where they want to grow and why matching plants to their ancestral homes creates a thriving, low-input ecosystem. From nitrogen-fixers like tagasaste and Spanish broom to groundcovers like clover and nasturtium, we’ll break down each guild member's role and how they support each other.

You'll also hear how I mapped my own land, identified the only full-sun spot, and turned it into a haven for these heat-loving plants. Whether you’re growing on rocky slopes or urban backyards, this episode will help you make the most of what you’ve got—by working with nature, not against it.

🌿 Highlights:

• The anatomy of a Mediterranean plant guild
• Why guild design means less work, better fruit, and healthier plants
• How to map your own land to figure out where these plants want to live
• A geeky side note on soil pH, drainage checks, and frost-mapping
• Let's include; nitrogen fixes, ground covers, pest repellents, fruits, vines, leaves you want to eat, herbs and soil enhancers. 

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