The Forest Garden is an ecosystem designed to grow a lot of organic food, combining trees, bushes, and perennial and self-seeding ground level plants on the same site.
Forest gardens are low maintenance– this is a permaculture technique that is designed to be largely self-maintaining. From time to time it is necessary to cut back invasive plants, such as mint, and apply a straw or hay mulch. To harvest, wander through your garden with a basket, and enjoy the variety and abundance. Many of the ground level plants are suitable for salads; such a variety of freshly picked green leaves is highly nutritious. It is rarely, if ever, necessary to water a temperate climate forest garden.
It takes a few years for a forest garden to establish. You will find that some species thrive on your site while others do not; often it is simply a question of trial and error. If a plant doesn’t grow well it may be down to competition from surrounding plants, or an unsuitable microclimate within the forest garden; too sunny or too shaded.
In the spring the ground level plants appear first, in time to get a head start before the bushes come into leaf. In turn the bushes’ leaves develop before the trees’ buds burst, ensuring maximum productivity from your land. The yield of each individual crop is generally lower in a forest garden when compared to the yield of the same plant grown alone on an equivalent area. However the combined yield of the plants in a forest garden is higher than that of any one crop on the same area.
It is possible to turn an existing orchard into a forest garden, indeed it is usually easier to let the trees and bushes establish themselves for a year or two before planting the ground level plants.
A wide variety of species is the key to a successful forest garden to create equilibrium to manage naturally pests and diseases. You may suffer an aphid attack, but it is unlikely to last when the ladybirds arrive in force! This is an organic gardening technique; do not use artificial pesticides or fertilizers which may disrupt this natural balance.
The varieties below are just a selection of the plants suitable for a temperate climate forest garden. The book “Forest gardening” by Robert Hart is an excellent source of further information.
Tree layer
All types of fruit and nut trees that grow in your climate are suitable. Put sun loving species, such as peaches, on the south side of the forest garden in the northern hemisphere, on the north side in the southern hemisphere. An unusual species that you might like to try is a pine nut tree, such as pinus pinea.
Bush layer
- Gooseberries
- Large fruited blackberries
- Blackcurrants
- Redcurrants
- Raspberries
Ground level plants
- Borage (self seeding) – add to soup or stews
- Nasturtium (self-seeding) – leaves and flowers may be used in salads
- Lemon balm (perennial) – a lovely herbal tea
- Mint (perennial) – can be invasive
- Dandelion (self-seeding) – delicious in spring salads
Many edible flowers may be grown in a forest garden, why not try them in a colorful flower salad, or in a home made flower wine?
