OCALA FOOD FOREST · ZONE 9 · COMMUNITY PROJECT

Monthly Guild Challenges

Each month we publish a **plant guild recipe** tuned for Zone 9 (Ocala region) with a modern layout, native-only alternatives, and a 1-page printable. We’re still building—thank you for rolling with us!

Perennial-first design Florida-aware swaps Printable PDFs
Heads up: The **“Coming Next”** challenge tile will now unlock on December 15, 2025 for the January challenge.
Build your own Guild

Florida Native & Florida Friendly Plant List.

Open Guild Plants

How the Monthly Guild Challenge works

  1. Pick the month’s anchor. We design around 1–3 anchors (tree/shrub) that transplant well that month.
  2. Layer in helpers. Herb matrix, groundcovers, N-fixers, and (optional) dynamic accumulators.
  3. Use the simple layout. Our diagrams show spacing rings, wind screens, and sun-side herb arcs.
  4. Adapt to your yard. Swap with native-only lists when you want all-native guilds.
  5. Print & walk it. Each post includes a 1-page PDF you can take outside.

Fall (Sep–Nov)

Anchor evergreens and easy stonefruits; establish cool-season allies.

  • Wind screens (yaupon/wax myrtle) where exposed
  • Herb arcs on south side; clover broadcast on outer ring
  • PDFs: October & November guilds

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Slow growth; focus on structure and soil.

  • Mulch refresh, daikon pockets in tight spots
  • Light pruning; add native groundcovers
  • Possible anchors: citrus-adjacent shrubs, olives (site-dependent)

Spring (Mar–May)

  • Warm-season herb matrix; pollinator shrubs
  • Edge with flowers (calendula, cilantro, natives where possible)
  • Trellises and water checks before heat

Summer (Jun–Aug)

  • Heat-hardy anchors; shade-casting helpers
  • Thick mulch; storm staking
  • Light planting; more maintenance and protection
Back to Food Forest
Plans are living—expect tweaks as we test, learn, and grow together.