Edible Forest Gardening
Forest gardening is the future!
Forest gardening is a method of growing fruit and veg with a focus on growing perennial edibles (fruit and veg that live for several years) in layers, like the fertile forest edge. You do not need a big space to do this in your own garden.
In Chorlton we are trialling a mini showcase forest garden. Email Danielle if you're interested in getting involved.​​
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​Benefits of growing an edible forest garden:
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Productive space that generates food, plant food, herbal medicine and wildlife habitats
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Variety of plants offers a good diet nutritionally
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Diversity of plants atrracts more beneficial wildlife that also keeps the 'pests' in check
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Low costs after set up as plants are perennial, living several years.
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Less work as new plants don't need sowing each year
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Some plants - like borage, fennel, rocket, nasturtium - self-seed, creating new plants all by themselves
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Healthy soil that doesn't need digging, leading to fewer slugs and weeds
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Undisturbed soil that locks in carbon
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Deep-rooted plants bring up minerals in the soil
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The ground cover layer helps keep the soil moist in dry periods, and warm during the winter
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Opportunities for getting new free plants by swapping cuttings and surplus plants that have spread
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Maximise your space by growing layers to use space effectively.
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Links to find out more about forest gardening including suppliers of perennial veg
Trees with edible leaves - some of the most nutrient-packed plants you can eat.
Agro-Forestry Research Trust - Information, courses and supplies for perennial gardening
3 min intro in Martin Crawford’s forest garden in south west England - you don't actually need this much space!
Plants for a Future - excellent searchable database covering huge range of edible perennials
A Food Forest In Your Garden by Alan Carner. Based in Scotland. Book, courses, visits.
Forest garden/edible perennial plant suppliers in UK