Food forests are designed to mimic natural forests. You can grow different types of crops that mature at different times of the year. It is important to grow crops that mutually benefit from each other in terms of nutrients and pest and weed protection. You can incorporate a food forest in your backyard for sustainable food production and self-sufficiency.
Kiwifruit/Chinese Gooseberry (Actinidia deliciosa)
The Kiwifruit plant is native to temperate regions of China. Kiwis are a great addition to the vine layer of your food forest. They are characterized by white flowers which bloom from spring to summer.
Ideally, you should plant kiwis in the spring after the last frost. They will begin to produce fruits approximately 3-5 years after planting. Kiwi vines typically grow very slowly and will need a support system for the trellises.
They can grow to a height of 20ft and spread 15ft at full maturity. For best yields, plant both the male and female kiwi plants.
- Kiwis grow well under full sunlight.
- They require slightly acidic to neutral, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-9.
Raspberry (Rubus spp.)
Raspberries are plants suited to the shrub layer of your food forest. The berries can be picked and eaten direct from the stem or they can be prepared in jams, and drinks. They are a great source of vitamin C.
You should plant the summer-bearing and fall-bearing varieties of raspberries on your farm to ensure a longer harvest period. Raspberries are perennials that will require annual pruning for best results.
Pruning should be done in the summer after you have picked all the berries to encourage the development of new blooms.
- Raspberries grow well under full sunlight or partial shade.
- They require slightly acidic or neutral, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 2-8.
Common Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
Chives are edible perennials that work well in the herb layer of the food forest. They are cold-tolerant and best planted in the spring for a summer harvest.
Chives can be planted as companion plants to carrots, peas, tomatoes and lettuce since they act as a natural deterrent for pests. They require minimal care but will need regular watering during the growing season to ensure high yields.
- Chives thrive in full sunlight or partial shade.
- They require moist, fertile, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-9.
Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas)
Sweet potatoes are good plants for the root layer. They are characterized by coppery skin and deep-orange fleshy roots. They can be prepared in mashed form or roasted whole. Sweet potatoes are drought-tolerant and have a short growing season. Plant the crop 3-4 weeks after the last frost. Grow the seedlings in raised mounds and water regularly until the crop is well established.
- Thrives under full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in neutral, sandy, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 5-11.
Bush Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Bush beans are annual plants perfect for the herb layer. They are compact growing and do not require any support from a trellis. They mature at approximately 2ft tall. They require little maintenance and will produce yield at 50-55 days after planting. Bush beans are nitrogen-fixing plants.
- Grow best in well-drained, acidic to neutral soils.
- Thrive under full sunlight.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-10.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
Serviceberry is a large shrub or small tree that you can grow in the shrub layer of your food forest. It is characterized by white blooms that emerge in the spring. They are followed by red or purple berries in the summer. The shrub is fast-growing and requires little maintenance. Serviceberry matures at 8-20ft high and 4-15ft wide.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows best in well-drained, fertile soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 2-9.
Silver Birch (Betula pendula)
Silver birch is a tall growing tree perfect for the canopy layer. It is characterized by green leaves which turn yellow in the fall before dropping in the winter.
Yellow male flowers and green female flowers appear in the spring and give way to cone-like fruits with multiple small seeds. The tree matures at 30-40ft tall and 15-30ft wide. It is low maintenance.
- Grows best in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Thrives in medium or wet, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 2-7.
Alder tree (Alnus glutinosa)
Alder is a large growing tree that can be planted in a canopy layer of a food forest. It is nitrogen-fixing and therefore helps to enrich the soil. It can reach a mature height of 28m and can live for up to 60 years. Alder trees are dioecious. They occur naturally in woodland areas and forest edges.
- Thrive under full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows best in medium to wet, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-7.
Apple tree (Malus domestica)
Apple trees are medium-sized and ideal for the sub-canopy layer. You should plant apple trees from a nursery, preferably in early spring. They require regular watering in the first stages of germination.
Once established, the trees are relatively low maintenance, requiring only light pruning. There are a variety of apple tree species and you should choose the one that best fits your climate and is less susceptible to pests and diseases.
- Grows best in full sunlight.
- Thrives in alkaline, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-8.
Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox)
Thyme is a groundcover plant. It is characterized by pink, white, or purple flowers that bloom in the spring. It is an aromatic and sometimes edible herb that spreads along the ground, protecting the soil from erosion. The plant matures at 2-6 inches tall and 6-18 inches wide.
- Grows best under full sunlight.
- Thrives in well-drained, sandy, neutral or alkaline soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 2-9.
Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)
Parsnips are root vegetables that can grow in the root layer of a food forest. It is a biennial plant that is grown in some instances as an annual for food production. It grows to a height of 2m.
Parsnips have a relatively short growing season, with harvesting done 4 months after planting. It is best to sow parsnips during the summer or autumn. The taproot is edible and can be mashed or baked.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in moist, fertile, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 2-9.
Lupines (Lupinus spp.)
Lupines are perennial plants that are best grown in the herbaceous layer. They grow to a mature height of 1-4ft tall. They are characterized by grey-green leaves with silvery hairs.
Lupines also have hairy pods containing up to 12 seeds. The crop is best planted in early spring or fall. Lupines are nitrogen-fixing and therefore will enrich your soil. Lupine seeds are edible and can be ground into flour for baking.
- Thrive under full sunlight or partial shade.
- Prefer moist, sandy, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 3-7.
American Hazelnut (Corylus Americana)
Hazelnut is a low-growing tree or shrub that can be planted in the sub-canopy layer. It produces edible nuts towards the end of summer. It is characterized by deep green leaves which turn yellow in the autumn.
Hazelnuts are popular with deer, squirrels, woodpeckers, pheasants and turkey. The tree grows to a height of 15-18ft and spreads 10-12ft at full maturity. Hazelnut begins producing nuts 2-3 years after planting and 8 years if grown from seed.
- Thrives under full sunlight or partial shade.
- Requires acidic or alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Trumpet honeysuckle is a semi-evergreen climber that can be grown in the vine layer of a food forest. It is characterized by scarlet, tubular flowers that bloom in early spring. They are followed by bright red berries that appear in the fall.
The plant is showy and can therefore serve to add color to your food forest. It grows to a height of 8-15ft and spreads 3-6ft wide at full maturity.
- Thrives under full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Sorrel is a perennial herbaceous plant that can be grown in the herb layer. It is a leafy green with a sour, lemony flavor.
It is characterized by arrow-shaped leaves and can thrive for many years. It occurs naturally in grasslands and on the edges of forests. The plant can grow to a mature height of 60cm.
- Thrives in full sunlight or partial shade.
- Grows well in moist, fertile, well-drained soils.
- USDA hardiness zones 5-7.
Conclusion
Food forests comprise 7 layers in which different plants can grow. If you intend to keep a food forest in your home, you can select from a variety of perennial and annual plants which will serve to increase the biodiversity of your landscape.
