Building a food forest takes thought and planning. But the payoff can be tremendous: A low-maintenance, all natural and indefinite source of fruits, nuts, herbs and vegetables, not to mention a place of solace and communion.
A food forest comprises seven layers: the tall canopy, the smaller trees, the shrubs, the herbs, the roots, the groundcover and the vines.
1. Canopy: Oaks, Black Cherries, Chestnuts and Black Walnuts.
2. Understory: Persimmon and Hazelnut. Flowering Dogwood to fix nitrogen
3. Shrubs: Serviceberry, Blueberry, Elderberry, Viburnum and Aronia
4. Herbaceous: Mountain mint. You might add rosemary, lavender and vegetables
5. Roots: Carrots and radishes
6. Groundcover: Wild strawberry, common blue violet
7. Vines: Grapes, beans
Our kits include everything except the vines and root vegetables.
Images: Black Cherry Tree, Blueberry, Strawberry, Hazelnut, Mountain Mint
Building a Food Forest
Our food forest plan is suitable for a small area of perhaps 200 square feet. It is intended as a starter kit.
Below are examples of plants that would do well in an area of full sun and moist, well-drained soil.
Feel free to request substitutions and reach out if you have a damp or shady area and are looking for alternatives (jennifer@treetalknatives.com).
For good yield, we are recommending four Hazelnut and two Blueberry, and five Strawberry to get started on a ground cover.
- Black Cherry Tree $45
- Elderberry $45 (best eaten cooked)
- Hazelnut $50 x 4
- Shadbush Serviceberry $45
- Red Chokeberry $85
- Blueberry, highbush $38 x 2
- Mountain Mint $10
- Wild Strawberry $12 x 5
Blackhaw Viburnum can be substituted for American Cranberrybush or blueberry, but you will need at least two Blackhaw for fruit.
$510 = a 10% discount from individual purchases