Permaculture: Why Food Forests?

What is a Food Forest?

Forests were doing just fine for the 460 million years before humans came along, proving that they do not require maintenance from homo sapiens. A food forest operates under the idea that by mimicking a forest model, the right combination of fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables can sustain itself indefinitely without human intervention.  The traditional concept for a food forest, while varying depending on the region, focuses on specific criteria:

• Seven layers of vegetation
• Properties of the root-system of each layer of vegetation
• Physical properties of each soil layer
• Density of vegetation
• Diversity of organisms

Illustration by Jane Picksley

Why Food Forests?

For starters, growing grass is an unsustainable process:

• It requires regular maintenance, often using gas powered equipment.
• It often requires supplemental watering.
• To look good, grass needs a balance of chemicals to survive.
• Fertilizers create excess nitrogen and phosphorous.
• Pesticides are often used, which can be extremely harmful to the environment.

Food forests are an efficient way provide a community with healthy fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. If done correctly, little to no maintenance is required once it has been established. Food forests simultaneously nurture the Earth and also it's inhabitants. It can also cultivate a sense of community and oneness with Mother Nature. With the news of impending catastrophic climate change, there is no better time than now to begin to make drastic changes to our environment on a local scale.

A large space is not required to create a self-sustaining food forest; you can grow as many as 300 species on a 1/4 acre lot. It is an incredibly productive way to utilize unused space. It creates a habitat for wildlife, pest control, and pollination. In is an powerful aesthetic in addition to it's practicality.  Since it doesn't require chemical fertilizers, it will produce healthier food. In an educational environment, it offers a plethora of educational opportunities like learning ecosystem patterns, plant life and soil composition.

Photo Credit: ideath Flickr

How it works

The idea is to imitate a natural forest in every way possible, literally from the ground up. Attention to detail is a necessity as any hiccup in the process could lead to an unsuccessful yield.

Soil

It is important to know the pH levels of the soil you are using in order to determine what plants and trees are able to grow in your food forest. There are natural options to raise or lower the pH levels of the soil; lime and wood ash can raise pH levels, while compost can help to lower pH in soil and can also help with drainage and aeration. All weeds will also need to be removed, which can either be done manually or by placing down sheets of cardboard with several inches of mulch on top in order to starve them of sunlight.

Water

Food forests need a dependable water source to ensure healthy growth. If there isn't a consistent source of water, one option is to build a pool that collects rain water and distributes it into your forest. Another option is to sculpt the earth into low, broad mounds to plant the trees and place the smaller plants along the slopes in order to collect rainwater runoff. 

Planting

Starter Plants

It is necessary to start with the tougher plants, like legumes and clovers to make the environment more habitable to future trees. They will grow fast and easy, while providing nutrients for the soil. The larger trees can later be planted between the starter plants.

Positioning

Position the tallest species at the northern end of the forest and work your way down in size as you move towards the southern end. This allows the taller plants to cast less shade onto the smaller ones. Shade resistant plants can be planted anywhere in between. Vegetables that require sunlight can be placed on the outskirts.

Plant compatibility

In order for optimal growth, it is important to understand plants that work well together. Companion plants can create a symbiotic environment by attracting beneficial insects, repelling pests, or providing nutrients, shade, or support. It is crucial to stick to the seven layers of the forest garden shown in the figure below.

Image source: Permaculture a Beginner's Guide, by Graham Burnett

How to Get Started

Here at GreenLeaf Permaculture, we are excited to help aid in the process of establishing your own food forest garden. We will put you in touch with a local coordinator to survey and assess your land. Once the proper plant arrangement has been decided on, we will coordinate the delivery of of materials. We can also help to recruit volunteers for the implementation of your food forest. To get in contact with us, reach out to our GreenLeaf Food Forest Coordinator, Michael Van Ness, via e-mail at mvanness.gpg@gmail.com.