A pilot to create an edible garden that models natural ecosystems

Period of project: February 2008
Contact: Chloe Antony

Forest Garden Group
A Forest Garden is designed on a home scale and mimics forest ecosystem structure and function. A Forest Garden is an edible garden, putting plants together in woodland-like patterns that forge mutually beneficial relationships, creating a garden ecosystem that is more than the sum of its parts. You can grow fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms and other useful plants. You can create a beautiful, diverse, high-yield garden. You can also design a garden that is largely self-maintaining.

The development of the garden was to be designed and led by members of the community, focusing on the Forest Garden approach. The project itself was designed to be a form of practical community development which sought to raise awareness, build skills into the
community for food growing and working and learning together. Once developed, the garden could be used as a training and demonstration site for local schools and for courses open to the public. Local people would be invited to join the group and be part of the developing garden. Visits to the garden could be offered to interested people in the local area.

The first step was a planning morning with all interested people, to observe the site and make plans for the garden lead by Pippa Johns, permaculturalist. The second step was to set up a series of work days. In these we would prepare the site by clearing where necessary and collect materials needed for planting.

See what happened at out first meeting, the design day We are currently looking into possible locations for a forest garden, if you have any ideas, let us know!