source: shikigami2011
We’ve spent the best part of 5 weekends preparing an area of the wood to become a forest garden. It’s taken a lot of work and it still isn't ready for all the plants quite yet.
The fruit trees are in but the black current and redcurrant bushes need relocating to the area along with the raspberry canes. Vegetables will be sown next month, as will the herbs.
Until I had seen an awesome documentary called ‘Farm for the Future’ while studying Countryside Management’, I didn’t fully understand the purpose and role of forest gardens. However, seeing real case studies and interviews with people who run forest gardens inspired me, as did the motive for a more sustainable way of farming. If you haven’t seen it, you can see it here. I recommend it to anyone.
The documentary tackles the issue of intensive farming and their practices that are ultimately leading to a monoculture environment that is killing biodiversity, and our future. It’s a subject close to my heart and their solution is forest gardening. Ironically, forests are also close to my heart and I am lucky to be in a position to be able to grow one.
What is a forest garden?
A forest garden is a sustainable food production system based on woodland ecosystems. Plants with yields beneficial to humans such as fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs and vegetable plants are grown alongside each other in a way that they can benefit each other in terms of pest control, pollination, maximising space and providing habitats for beneficial creatures. A layering system ensures vertical space is utilised. The aim is to create a low-maintenance; sustainable plantation that produces food for humans, that also benefits wildlife.
Beautiful example of a forest garden
Source: London Permaculture
What will we grow?
We are still learning about and planning our forest garden so we only have initial plans. So far we have several fruit trees including pear, cherry, damson and plumb. We already have a redcurrant bush, a blackcurrant bush and have just bought several gooseberry brushes. The raspberry canes are quite established already but we will move them to the forest garden area. There’s a good ground covering of wild strawberries next to the house that produces the tiniest fruit. Their produce can’t be classed as a yield but the plants may help other plants (need to look into this). I will take some from this area and move them to the forest garden. We may also introduce some domestic varieties of strawberry. I would love to have a large area dedicated to a variety of herbs that will be great for cooking but also be aesthetically pleasing. The greenhouse is located in front of the forest garden and will be used to house tomatoes and peppers. As for the vegetable area, well, we will grow as many vegetable as possible!Plants should be intermixed in a forest garden and a layering system applied (see image below). This is the bit I need to research further to ensure plants are put in the right places. I also need to understand which plants to grow. At the moment I’m planning to throw everything in.
There are several forest gardens around the UK that have open days and work days and some even run course. I would love to visit one and learn directly from the people that take care of them.
I will be posting on the progress of the forest garden area and will be snapping pictures along the way. If you are interested in following our journey then follow this blog on Bloglovin’ here and Instagram here
Stay tuned!
