| Forest gardens are based on the model of natural
woodland, with edible and other useful plant species used for
all the layers of vegetation from the tree canopy to the woodland
floor. Forest gardening is working with nature, the antithesis
of annual monocultures a method of farming that expends energy
fighting against nature.
Forest gardens, often known as home gardens, have been cultivated
since ancient times in tropical Africa and Asia usually in small
areas (less than a hectare) around households where they provide
an important source of food, and for some extra income. In China
forest gardening has a long history in both tropical and temperate
regions. Chinese forest gardens integrate fruit and timber trees,
bamboos, vegetables, medicinal plants, and often poultry.
In the West simple “two-storey” systems have long
been used, mixing orchards and grazing animals or hazels with
vegetables for example. In the 1960’s the late Robert
Hart in England began looking at the potential of fully integrated
forest gardens in the temperate climate of North West Europe.
Many have been inspired by his writings and continued this pioneering
work. From this today it is clear that diverse and highly productive
forest gardens are very feasible in the temperate world.
In tropical climates strong sunlight reaches though the canopy,
whereas in cooler climates light is very limited, meaning that
most of the traditional food crops, grains and vegetables cannot
be grown in temperate forest gardens, except in clearings. However,
as long as trees do not form a closed canopy that shuts out
all light, there are a surprisingly large amount of edible plants
that can be grown. (See Appendix for examples)
The 2.1-acre demonstration garden of the Agroforesty Research
Trust in Dartington, Devon illustrates the potential of forest
gardening. Started in 1994, most of the planting is now completed
and there are a staggering variety of useful plants, including
around 100 different species of tree and shrub crops. The garden
maintained very simply using hardly any imported materials of
any kind and the eventual aim is that the soil fertility will
maintain itself with the aid of the many nitrogen fixing plants
used.
The cultivation of forest gardens requires getting to know new
edible plants. These include tree crops, shrubs, shade tolerant
perennials and some annuals and short lived plants that will
spread themselves by seed. Productivity is dependent upon intensity
of management, but even a very low maintenance forest garden
is more efficient and has a greater output than all conventional
forms of agriculture and gardening.
The multiple advantages of forest gardens:
- Low maintenance once established, no digging, most crops
are perennial.
- The most productive and efficient system of food production.
- Very wide range of useful products fruits, nuts, leaf crops,
root crops, herbs, mushrooms, wood, poles, fibres, basketry
materials etc.
- Self-maintain soil fertility, a genuinely ecologically
sustainable system.
- Trees take up carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.
- Offer habitats and food to wildlife.
The drawbacks of forest gardens are also the reasons why such
systems are never likely to be incorporated into commercially
orientated agriculture. Although maintenance needs are very
low once established, forest gardens take many years to establish,
require a carefully thought through design process and information
about the needs and uses of a wide variety of plants. Unlike
working with unnatural simplified systems, diverse and complex
natural systems require growers to be attentive, intuitive and
adaptable. While forest gardens have the highest total yields,
simplified systems have been designed to produce a bulk of a
single product at the same time, and to suit mechanised practices.
Designing and establishing a Forest Garden
nless using a site with already mature trees, even
a small forest garden is a long-term project requiring planning.
Design and plant choices need to consider local climate and
soil conditions, light levels and the amount of work needed
for maintenance. There are a number of very well researched
and useful sources of information now available to help in this
process, see Appendix 2 at the end of this page.
Small forest gardens in reasonably sheltered locations can
be established all in one go. In exposed spots, windbreak hedges
may need to be planted first. While trees are still young, the
ground receives much more light than in the fully developed
forest garden and the introduction of shade loving ground cover
plants may be best delayed.
Trees and shrubs are generally bought (many are difficult to
grow from seed), but unless you have a large budget and not
much space to fill, perennials generally have to be grown from
seed. Very few forest garden perennials would succeed from a
direct sowing in most circumstances. This requires having somewhere
and someone to propagate plants, although there are many ground
covers that will, given the space, spread freely once introduced.
Conclusion
Forest gardens will never supply all our carbohydrate and protein
needs, even if we were to radically change our diet, but they
do have a major part to play in any future ecologically sound
agriculture. They are particularly suitable for urban and near
urban locations, smallholdings, areas with existing trees, orchards,
and integrated natural farms. Both aesthetically beautiful and
productive, forest gardens have great potential to inform, inspire
and reconnect people to plants and the land.
Appendix - Food Plants For Temperate
Forest Gardens
Canopy layer- Edible Tree Crops
Well known.
Apple, Pear, Plum (Gage), Damson, Elder, Walnut, Hazel (Filbert,
Cob-nut), Sweet Chestnut, Cherry, Almond.
Less well known.
Juneberry (Amelanchier species), Hawthorn, Limes for edible
leaves (Tilia species), Dogwoods (Cornus species), Whitebeam,
Mulberry, Quince, Oleasters (Elaeagnus ebbiginei), Siberean
Pea Tree (Carangana arborenscens), Pine nuts, Strawberry Tree
(Arbutus unedo), Blue Bean (Decaisnea fargesii) Ginkgo bilboa.
Shrub layer- Edible crops
Well known:
Blackcurrant (and Red/ White currant), Gooseberry, Raspberry,
Blackberry, Hybrid berries (Loganberry, Jostaberry, Worcesterberry
etc.), Blueberry
Less well known:
Barberry (Berberis species), Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium),
Salmonberry (Rubus parviflorus), Salal (Gaultheria Shallon),
Juniper, Nanking Cherry (Prunus tomentosa), Ramanas Rosa (Rosa
rugosa), Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus commutata/ multiflora)
Edible ground cover layer- Perennials, small and prostrate
shrubs
Well known:
Strawberry, Sorrels, Swiss Chard, Rhubarb, Kale, Lovage, Jerusalem
Artichoke, Mints, Fennel, Horseradish, Seacale, Purslane, Burdock
Less well known:
Mallows (Malva species), Mitsuba/ Japanese Parsley, Garlic mustard
(Alliaria petiolata), Land cress (Barbarea verna), Good King
Henry, Nepalsese Raspberry (Rubus nepalensis), Bilberry (Vaccinium
species), Babbington leek (Allium babbingtonii), Ramsons/ Wild
garlic (Allium ursinium), Day lilies (Hemerocallis species),
Pink Purslane (Claytonia sibirica), Sweet Violet (Viola odorata),
Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), Creeping Dogwood (Cornus canadensis).
Climbers
Well known:
Hop, Grape, Kiwi
Less well known:
Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia species), Mayhop (Passiflora incarnata),
Magnolia vine (Schisandra chinensis)*
|
