Layers of a Food Forest

  • Food Forest Introduction – The Seven Layers of the Forest Garden

    Food Forest Introduction – The Seven Layers of the Forest Garden

    In this series of articles, I will walk you through the seven layers of the forest garden or backyard food forest, explaining the purpose and function of each one and some of the species that can be grown there in a temperate climate.  Drawing on over ten years of practical experience, I hope that this series will give…

    Read more →

  • Layers of a Permaculture Food Forest Part 5: Climbing Plants

    Layers of a Permaculture Food Forest Part 5: Climbing Plants

    There’s a bit of an odd-one-out among the seven layers of the permaculture food forest garden – a group that doesn’t fit into any one particular compartment of the garden quite so neatly… Like all plants, climbing plants start their growth in the root layer but can then ramble around anywhere from the forest garden…

    Read more →

  • Layers of a Permaculture Food Forest Part 4: Understory and Canopy Trees

    Layers of a Permaculture Food Forest Part 4: Understory and Canopy Trees

    In our exploration of temperate food forest layers, we’ve been taking a closer look at each of the seven layers, what we can plant there, and how to design each layer for optimum results across the whole garden.  So far, we’ve looked at the root layer of a food forest, groundcovers and the herbaceous layer,…

    Read more →

  • Layers of a Food Forest: Permaculture Shrubs [Part 3]

    Layers of a Food Forest: Permaculture Shrubs [Part 3]

    So far, in our exploration of the different layers of the permaculture food forest garden, we have covered the underground and herbaceous layers that comprise the smaller plants of the ecosystem. Today, we’ll look at permaculture shrubs we can grow in a food forest, and how best to manage them. Shrubs In a Food Forest Shrubs…

    Read more →

  • The Herbaceous Layer and Edible Ground Covers In a Permaculture Food Forest

    The Herbaceous Layer and Edible Ground Covers In a Permaculture Food Forest

    Edible ground covers and the herbaceous layer of the permaculture food forest. What makes a food forest garden different from an orchard? One of the distinctions lies in what’s growing on the ground… In conventional orchards, the ground is either mown, grazed, or even stripped bare and exposed to the ravages of burning sun, and…

    Read more →

  • The Root Layer of a Food Forest (Layer 1 of the 7 Layers)

    The Root Layer of a Food Forest (Layer 1 of the 7 Layers)

    One of the defining features of forest gardens and food forests is how they utilize space to maximum efficiency by growing crops in several “layers” – just as you’d see in natural woodland. These layers can be roughly divided up into 7: In this series of articles, I’ll take you through the 7 layers, starting…

    Read more →

I’m the heart and soil behind Outdoor Happens. Dream of a garden that feeds you or a farm that practically runs itself? I’m here to help make that dream a reality. With 25 years of hands-on gardening and farming, I’ll share down-to-earth tips to help you grow your own slice of sustainable paradise.

Ready to dig in without getting buried? Stick around, let’s make your dreams happen!


Follow Us