The Pros and Cons of Food Forest Gardens

Imagine the sensory delight of walking through a forest in which nearly every tree, bush, and plant provides food, a forest that fertilizes and takes care of pests itself so there is minimal upkeep, and that is designed to perpetuate itself for years to come? Is this nirvana? No, it’s a food forest.

A food forest is a holistic gardening approach in permaculture that imitates nature’s system of creating self-sustaining, inter-related, and multi-layered ecosystems in which trees, shrubs, plants, insects, and the geography of the area all work together to perpetually produce food.

Sound too good to be true? Here are some of the pros and cons of growing a food forest garden.

Good Reasons to Grow a Food Forest Garden

‚”No-Work” Garden

After the initial design and setup, nature takes over for the most part to sustainably fertilize, weed, and control pests in the forest garden. Other than harvesting, only mulching, cutting back vigorous plants, and the occasional pruning are all that is required for years of enjoyment.

Save the Planet

Forest gardens have been used to reclaim land that is unsuitable for growing any kind of crop. Using permaculture and forest gardening techniques, Geoff Lawton famously transformed a salty, rocky desert in Jordan into a productive garden that in a very short time grew dates and figs. Even a small forest garden is a transformative force that contributes to the health of the planet. It does this by having nature itself do the work that chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and gas-burning machines have done in traditional gardening, thus keeping pollutants out of the environment.

Food Legacy

Growing a food forest creates a personal legacy that a gardener can hand down as a gift to future generations. In addition, children’s involvement with the garden teaches them valuable lessons about where food comes from and the connections that link all living things together in the marvelous web of life.

Food Security

Food forests are a secure way to feed families should that next Great Depression come along, and can provide crops that can be bartered for other necessities. Beyond food, forest gardens can also provide medicines and useful plant materials.

Better For You

Studies have consistently shown that organic fruits and vegetables contain more vitamins and nutrients than factory-farmed food, which is grown more for its ability to ship well and fend off pests than taste and quality. Forest gardens are naturally organic and don’t undergo the abuse of being trucked to market.

Drawbacks to Growing Food Forest Gardens

Initial Design, Setup, and Labor Costs

While food forest gardens produce food for years with little ongoing effort, that convenience comes with a price. While there is nothing wrong with planting a food forest on the fly without planning, the result will likely not be a self-perpetuating garden that takes care of itself. Successful food forests require deliberate planning and design before the gardener even lowers that first plant in a hole. Keep in mind that although it’s possible to plant everything at once, it isn’t necessary to do so‚Äîthe forest garden can develop and grow over several years as you have the time and money.

Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day, and Neither are Forest Gardens

Gardeners who are into instant gratification are bound to be frustrated waiting five years or more for a pecan or walnut tree to bear fruit. On the other hand herbs, leafy greens, and berries begin bearing quickly. Be patient—a forest garden will become more productive and bountiful as time goes by and the ecosystem matures and grows.

Forest Gardens Look Chaotic (But They’re Not)

Someone who likes the structure of a formal garden and a neat lawn will probably not be happy with the chaotic look of a forest garden unless they confine it to a smaller space. Forest gardens are designed to imitate–what else–a forest. That means that they are designed to have multiple layers beginning with a tree canopy, under which there are smaller trees, then shrubs, herbs and perennial vegetables, vines, ground covers, and root plants. Robert Hart, the first known forest gardener, created a garden that had so much in it that it was difficult to walk through–the price of not allowing enough space between trees and plants.

Growing Food for the Future

Any gardener who is in it for the long haul should at least consider leaving a forest garden legacy that can feed them in their old age and can be passed on to those who follow. Remember, though, that forest gardens are not all-or-nothing. Read as much as possible about them before beginning and don’t neglect related areas like permaculture, edible landscaping, and other sustainable growing techniques. Once research is complete, apply the concepts that that fit in best to create a customized food forest nirvana.