Food Forests
A food forest is a self-sustaining, multi-layered garden designed to mimic a natural forest ecosystem, where a variety of edible plants, trees, and shrubs grow together. It can be whatever size and shape suits you and your space - as small as a single square metre in your garden or allotment, or as big as a sprawling landscape.
Intrigued by the idea of a food forest? Here's some tips for getting started.
1. Design Your Food Forest
- Layers: Plan for all seven layers of a food forest—tall trees, low trees, shrubs, herbs, ground cover, vines, and root crops.
- Species Selection: Choose plants that are well-suited to your climate and soil. Include a mix of fruit and nut trees, nitrogen-fixing plants, pollinator attractors, and perennial vegetables.
- Guilds: Group plants into guilds—communities of plants that support each other’s growth. For example, plant nitrogen-fixing plants near fruit trees to enhance soil fertility.
Illustration by Corey Jameson Design for Fair Amount Food Forest
2. Start Small and Expand Gradually
- Begin with a manageable area and expand as you gain experience. It’s easier to maintain and learn from a small plot.
3. Prepare the Land
- Weed and Mulch: Clear the area of weeds and cover the ground with a thick layer of organic mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
- Soil Improvement: Add compost, manure, or other organic matter to enrich the soil.
4. Planting
- Timing: Plant trees and perennials during the appropriate season.
- Spacing: Give each plant enough space to grow to its full size. Consider future growth when spacing plants.
- Companion Planting: Use companion planting techniques to enhance growth and deter pests.