Food Forests

A food forest is an edible forest garden that is planted in a way to mimic the ecosystems and patterns found in nature. This process helps to minimize competition from plants while mitigating the amount of maintenance and input needed for the gardens continued survival.

A food forest typically has seven layers, yet some recognize an eighth layer, the mycelial (mushroom) layer.

Food forests do not have to be re-planted each year, minimizing the energy that is put forth into maintaining and growing the garden and food that is provided. Along with this, food forests are planted in a way to allow plants to benefit each other in a myriad of ways:

• providing groundcover to suppress weeds

• attracting beneficial insects to pollinate plants and help manage populations of other species that can decimate plants

• utilizing nitrogen fixing plants and keeping nutrients within the loop

• designing for shade, wind breaks, shelter, microclimates, and more

Food forests come in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet each individual or communities needs. Designing a food forest allows for creativity in designing a space that fits the look, feel, and edible needs that you are looking for. Just like a traditional garden takes time to grow in, food forests take time to produce. Depending on the age and type of the plants installed, it could take 3-5 years to see fruit and nut production from trees. Having patience with a food forest is definitely worth it. The moment you can walk out your front/back door and pick nuts, berries, roots, and fruit that is fresh and produced on your property, you will know it was all worth it.

Resources and links:

• https://projectfoodforest.org/what-is-a-food-forest/

• https://www.chelseagreen.com/2018/what-is-a-community-food-forest/

• https://beaconfoodforest.org/