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 unlock on the 15th of each month. Until then it’s visible but disabled.

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
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Plans are living—expect tweaks as we test, learn, and grow together.