A food forest(sometimes also called “agroforestry”) is a permaculture method which mimics a forest when planning out a food garden.

“A food forest, also called a forest garden, is a diverse planting of edible plants that attempts to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature.” | Project Food Forest [1]

With proper care, a food forest can even last generations. For example, in the 1920’s near Philadelphia(USA), John Hershey created a food forest. Although today that land has been broken up by urban sprawl, many of the trees survive today in empty lots, backyards, and by parking lots.

There are pecans, walnuts, persimmons, apples, and many more, all growing without maintenance. [2][3]

Parts of a Food Forest:

These gardens are typically broken down into these layers:

1. Canopy: large fruit or nut trees
2. Understory: dwarf fruit trees, like pears, juneberries, mulberries, and more.
3. Shrubs: berries, like elderberry, currants, blueberries, and more
4. Herbaceous: Herbs, like mint, lemon balm, comfrey, and more.
5. Rhizosphere: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, ground nuts
6. Climbing: Peas, grapes, hardy kiwi, honeysuckle.
7. Ground Cover: Strawberries, catnip, walking onion.

However, it is important to note that what plants you use will be specific to what can grow in your area.

Food Forest Benefits:

• Promoting a healthy soil microbiome
• Increased carbon-capture (no-till)
• Preventing erosion
• Retaining water
• Low maintenance
• Can support wildlife biodiversity

[4][5]

References:

1. https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/
2. https://www.shelterwoodforestfarm.com/blog/2018/10/17/exploring-americas-oldest-food-forest
3. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qQZTmb_1
4. https://grocycle.com/food-forest-layers/
5. https://twobrothersindiashop.com/blogs/farmers-kitaab/food-forests-and-soil-health

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#permaculture #farming #greenliving #foodforest #FarmingAndGardening