Food/Edible Forest

I find it amazing when I'm finally able to put a term to an idea we've been working on. While reading the book Free Range Chicken Gardens by Jessi Bloom, she mentioned edible forests and it peaked my interest. As it turns out edible or food forests are practices in permaculture in which every aspect of the landscape is edible. Some studies are looking into the idea that most native american cultures had already perfected this technique and were using them to help feed future generations. As the European idea of farming did not incorporate permaculture at this extent they thought it was gathering rather than harvesting from a sustainable practice of agriculture. Upon more research I found that Australia has a huge movement in this technique with tons of videos on YouTube on how to create food forests. I also found that one of the oldest food forrest is located in Morrocco and is over 2,000 years old with over 80 different types of fruit and food being produced with the help of some 800 "farmers." As you can tell this idea has consumed my time since I found the reference.

Since we first started to populate our backyard we had always inteded to create a landscape in which everything was edible (edible landscaping) but this idea goes one step further; the plants themselves help feed the soil and each other so that the cycle is closed and can go on without human interaction. This idea is so exciting that I'm really looking forward to the time when our vegetative food production can help maintain itself. I know we'll have to add water to the mix, but if we can grow an area that can live off of the water that rains naturally then we can be set for a while. We are planning on having a set area that will be dedicated to annual crops as we do enjoy our tomatoes, lettuces, garlics, and many others so that we can still grow these while a food forest grows up around them. I'm trying to figure out a way so that we can have annuals self seed themselves in the forest. As the forest grows the the decay of the annuals helps feed the soil microbes, bacteria, and fungi which will help feed the plants. The whole cycle feeds itself and helps replenish the nutrients that are needed by the plants.

I can imagine the backyard with different layers of canopies producing fruits, nuts, and fuel for our winter fires. Bushes and smaller trees providing fruit to preserve and enjoy while we're outside. Smaller plants growing up around these working as companion planting such as white yarrow, comfrey, tansy, sage, rosemary, and others that will help the trees and bushes, as well as themselves being enjoyed as spices or teas. Other perenial veg such as artichokes and asparagus helping shade the ground cover during the harsh summers. The ground being covered in strawberries and other herbs that hug the ground and help protect it from erosion. Vines such as sweet potatoes or grapes growing up the trees or along the borders of the property. Tubers such as jeruselum artichokes, potatoes, or any of the other roots dotted around the landscape adding more nutrients to the soil. All these things feeding us, the animals, and each other. I wish our area was big enough to help change the weather partern but I know that one little acre can not change our area as a whole, but it can change the life of the plants that we care for.

If you ever want to geek out a bit do a little research on permaculture and food forests, who knows, you might want to start one too.