Summer Superstars

Permaculture Plants That Thrive in the Heat

When summer’s heat is bearing down, it’s not just our water bottles that need refilling—our gardens do too. But with the right permaculture plants, your garden can thrive in the heat while also supporting the health of your soil. These resilient powerhouses do more than survive the sun; they actively build fertility through a practice called chop-and-drop composting and, in some cases, supercharge soil with nutrient-dense compost teas.

Permaculture Explained: Permaculture is a sustainable design system that mimics natural ecosystems to create self-sufficient, regenerative environments. Rooted in ethics of care for the earth, people, and fair sharing of resources, permaculture integrates plants, animals, water, and soil in a way that reduces waste, increases biodiversity, and enhances food security. It’s about working with nature, not against it—designing systems that thrive with minimal human intervention.

What is Chop-and-Drop Composting?

Think of it as nature’s way of mulching on autopilot. Instead of pulling plants out and tossing them on the compost heap, you simply cut them back and drop the cuttings right where they grew. The leaves, stems, and foliage decompose in place, feeding the soil with organic matter, suppressing weeds, and locking in moisture—all without you lifting a fork. It’s lazy gardening at its finest. Leaving roots in the ground after harvesting has multiple benefits. It keeps the soil structure intact, preventing erosion and compaction. As roots decompose, they feed soil microbes and fungi, creating a rich, fertile environment. Root channels also improve water infiltration, encouraging healthier, more resilient soil for future crops. It’s nature’s way of self-renewal.

If you want to supercharge your garden’s soil fertility,

These summer-hardy permaculture plants are the perfect place to start:

🌿 1. Tree Lucerne (Tagasaste)
Tree Lucerne is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant permaculture champion with deep roots that draw up nutrients and improve soil health. Known for its nitrogen-fixing abilities, it enriches the soil for nearby plants while producing a steady supply of lush foliage for chop-and-drop mulch.

 

More than just mulch! Tree Lucerne is a high-protein fodder crop for livestock like chickens, goats, and cattle, making it an essential player in integrated farm systems. It boosts soil fertility, provides shade and shelter for understory plants, and offers nectar to support local pollinators. Its deep root system stabilises soil and increases water infiltration, making it a valuable ally for regenerative growing systems.

🌿 2. Mulberry (Morus spp.)

Yes, mulberries give you delicious jammy fruit, but they also deliver leafy green abundance. Their large leaves break down quickly as mulch, and they can be pruned regularly for chop-and-drop material. Their roots stabilise soil, making them a win-win for gardeners and wildlife alike.

Did you know? Mulberry leaves are a high-protein stock feed for chickens, pigs, and even livestock. They’re a nutrient-dense supplement that can be harvested fresh and fed directly to animals, reducing your reliance on commercial feed.

🌿 3. Queensland Arrowroot (Canna edulis)

Queensland Arrowroot is a tropical superstar, thriving in summer heat with rapid growth and dense, leafy foliage perfect for chop-and-drop composting. It’s a fast, reliable source of green biomass that breaks down quickly to nourish the soil.

Not your average green waste! Queensland Arrowroot is a multi-functional wonder. Its starchy rhizomes are edible and can be cooked like potatoes or ground into flour. The large leaves provide nutritious fodder for pigs, chickens, and livestock, while its strong, upright growth acts as a natural windbreak, protecting more delicate crops. Beneath the surface, its roots help loosen compacted soil, improving water infiltration and supporting soil microbial life.

🌿 4. Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)

Pigeon pea is like having a living fertiliser factory in your garden. This legume fixes nitrogen into the soil, grows rapidly in summer, and produces an abundance of pea pods for you and the birds.

Living mulch and more! Pigeon pea is an important food crop in Indian cuisine, where it’s known as 'toor dal' or 'arhar dal'. The dried peas are cooked into hearty stews, soups, and curries, providing a rich source of protein in vegetarian diets. Its edible green pods can also be eaten fresh, much like green beans.

🌿 5. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Comfrey is famous for its deep taproot that draws up hard-to-reach minerals. Its leaves are packed with potassium, calcium, and other trace nutrients, making it the MVP of chop-and-drop mulch. Cut it back frequently in summer to feed your soil and watch your garden thrive.

Beyond the basics! Comfrey has a rich history as a herbal medicine. Its leaves and roots have been used for centuries to support wound healing, reduce inflammation, and soothe muscle strains. The plant contains allantoin, a compound believed to promote cell regeneration. While it’s not recommended for internal use due to potential toxicity, it remains a key herb in natural skin care and topical remedies.

But comfrey doesn’t just do its magic on the ground—it can also be transformed into a powerhouse Comfrey Compost Tea.

🌿 6. Acacia spp.

Acacias are nitrogen-fixing champions that bring a lot to the table. They’re hardy, drought-tolerant, and able to withstand intense summer heat. Their foliage can be used for chop-and-drop mulch and livestock feed, while their roots improve soil fertility below ground.

Mulch makers and more! Acacia species play an important role in Australian bush food culture. The seeds of certain Acacia species (commonly called wattle seeds) are edible and have been a traditional food source for Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. Today, roasted and ground wattle seeds are prized for their nutty, coffee-like flavour and are used in baking, biscuits, bread, and even ice cream. They’re nutrient-dense, high in protein, and a symbol of Australian native cuisine.

🍵 How to Make Comfrey Compost Tea

If your plants need a mid-season boost, comfrey compost tea is liquid gold for the garden. Packed with potassium, nitrogen, and trace minerals, it acts like a natural fertiliser for fruiting and flowering plants. Here’s how to brew your own batch:

You’ll Need

• A large bucket or container (with a lid if possible)
• Fresh comfrey leaves (a good-sized bundle)
• Water (just enough to cover the leaves)

Instructions

1️⃣ Chop the Leaves – Harvest a bundle of fresh comfrey leaves and roughly chop them to increase surface area.
2️⃣ Fill the Bucket – Place the chopped leaves in your container and cover them with water. Weigh them down with a brick or stone to keep them submerged.
3️⃣ Cover and Wait – Put a lid on it and leave it to steep for 2-4 weeks. It will smell—badly—so keep it somewhere away from your house!
4️⃣ Strain the Liquid – After a few weeks, strain out the leaves and keep the liquid. The leftover leaves can go into your compost.
5️⃣ Dilute and Use – The resulting liquid is very strong. Dilute it at a ratio of 1 part comfrey tea to 10 parts water. Pour it around the base of plants or use it as a foliar spray.

This powerful DIY fertiliser can be used to boost flowering plants, fruiting trees, and any crops that need a quick mineral boost.

How to Get the Most From These Plants

1️⃣ Chop Often – Regular pruning encourages fresh growth and keeps a steady supply of mulch material coming.
2️⃣ Drop Strategically – Lay pruned material around the base of fruit trees, in garden beds, or wherever you need to build up organic matter.
3️⃣ Layer It Up – Combine with dry, carbon-rich materials like dry leaves for a balanced decomposition process.
4️⃣ Brew Your Tea – Use comfrey tea as a natural, mineral-packed liquid fertiliser to fuel flowering and fruiting plants.

By incorporating these hard-working summer plants into your garden, you’ll boost soil health, reduce the need for store-bought mulch, and create a resilient system that thrives in the heat. With chop-and-drop composting, edible crops, animal feed, and DIY compost teas, you can harness the power of nature to do the heavy lifting for you.

Which of these plants do you already have in your garden? Or which one’s going on your wish list? 🌱