class: center, middle # Forest Garden Primer 🌳 _Productive wildlife gardening_  #### [natureworks.org.uk/slides/primer](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/slides/primer/) ###### **Press `P` to see notes & credits**<br>**Forest Garden Primer** | Wildlife Forest Garden Design Classes | [natureworks.org.uk/classes](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/classes/) ??? * Work licensed under [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/), embedded work may have other licenses. * Slideshow always available online * Press `p` for notes * Contact * [Jake Rayson](https://natureworks.org.uk/about) * Email <hello@natureworks.org.uk> * Mastodon [@natureworks@mas.to](https://mas.to/@natureworks) --- class: middle # Class outline 1. Forest garden definition 2. Why forest gardening? 3. What characterises a forest garden? 4. Helpful guidelines 5. Key principles 6. Overview of creating a forest garden <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> --- class: middle, center # 1. Forest garden definition <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Definition</span> — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? I give you three definitions! --- # i) Wildlife orchard  ### “A self-nourishing wildlife orchard<br>  underplanted with edible shrubs<br>  and perennial vegetables” <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Definition</span> — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> --- # ii) Woodland edge  ### “Emulates woodland edge,<br>  layered with edible perennials,<br>  self-sustaining nutrients & pest control” <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Definition</span> — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? In cool temperate and warmer climates --- # iii) Edible ecosystem  ### “Growing edible crops<br>  in a wildlife garden” <h6 class="breadcrumb"><span class="u-underline">Definition</span> — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> --- class: middle, center # 2. Why forest gardening? <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — <span class="u-underline">Why</span> — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> --- class: middle, center Nature & Climate Crisis <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — <span class="u-underline">Why</span> — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> --- <img class="full-screen" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/growdigital/image/upload/v1686745277/forest-fire-canada-090602.jpg" alt="Forest fire with flames in the sky and the trees all burning"> ??? Photo by Cameron Strandberg on [Wikimedia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fire-Forest.jpg) --- class: middle, center 😱 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — <span class="u-underline">Why</span> — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> --- class: middle, center Resilience is the solution <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — <span class="u-underline">Why</span> — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * The reponse to the climate crisis, climate resilience, is the solution * Hope & crisis --- # What can I do?  * Grow edible crops with nature * Native plants where possible * Create wildlife habitat * Wildlife allotments <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — <span class="u-underline">Why</span> — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? Also, * Governance by [Community Assemblies](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/trust-the-people-workshops/chapter/4-community-assemblies) * Decommodify food * Become an activist! "changes in land use arising from a push to increase yields as much as possible so as to maximise profit margins… capitalism is the cause of the Yellowhammer’s decline" ~ [Jonathan Dean](https://jmdean1982.medium.com/time-to-get-angry-beyond-the-cosy-consensus-in-british-nature-conservation-a833ee0fd7ec) --- class: middle, center # 3. What characterises<br>a forest garden? <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — <span class="u-underline">Characteristics</span> — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> --- # 3. Characteristics  1. Sustainable 2. Productive 3. Wildlife friendly 4. Layers 5. Perennial <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — <span class="u-underline">Characteristics</span> — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * Illustration of forest garden in “climax vegetation” * The further right you go, the more energy, less diversity, more fragility * Illustration from Martin Crawford’s Creating a Forest Garden --- # 3. Characteristics  1. Sustainable 👈 2. Productive 3. Wildlife friendly 4. Layers 5. Perennial <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — <span class="u-underline">Characteristics</span> — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * Mineral accumulators & nitrogen fixers * Wildlife predators for pests * Permanent “living mulch” ground cover * Trees, perennials & soil biota sequester carbon. * Biodiversity encouraged * Native plants **where possible** * Low maintenance! --- # 3. Characteristics  1. Sustainable 2. Productive 👈 3. Wildlife friendly 4. Layers 5. Perennial <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — <span class="u-underline">Characteristics</span> — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * Fruit, nuts, leaves, shoots, roots… * Herbs, wood, canes, dyes etc * Multi-layered, using all available space efficiently --- # 3. Characteristics  1. Sustainable 2. Productive 3. Wildlife friendly 👈 4. Layers 5. Perennial <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — <span class="u-underline">Characteristics</span> — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * Native plants, as co-evolved * [Wildlife features](https://www.forestgarden.wales/wildlife-features/) * Create ecosystem, create pest control & nutrients --- # 3. Characteristics  1. Sustainable 2. Productive 3. Wildlife friendly 4. Layers 👈 5. Perennial <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — <span class="u-underline">Characteristics</span> — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? [Forest garden layers](/layers/) 1. Canopy 2. Small trees 3. Shrubs 4. Herbaceous perennials 5. Ground cover 6. Climbers 7. Rhizosphere * Layers are really efficient, in a lazy way! * My logo is 3 basic layers: canopy, shrubs, herbaceous perennials --- # 3. Characteristics  1. Sustainable 2. Productive 3. Wildlife friendly 4. Layers 5. Perennial 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — <span class="u-underline">Characteristics</span> — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? Perennial, mostly, plus easy annuals 🙂 * Lower maintenance * Less soil disturbance * More efficient * More nutritious Some annuals, veg like courgettes & squash, and some that self-seed, eg [Marigold](https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Calendula+officinalis) and [Nasturtium](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Tropaeolum+majus) --- class: middle, center # 4. Helpful guidelines <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — <span class="u-underline">Guidelines</span> — Principles — Overview</h6> --- # 4. Guidelines  1. [Windbreak](/windbreak/) 👈 2. [Tree spacing](/spacing/) 3. [Ground cover](/ground-cover/) 4. [Nutrients](/nutrients/) <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — <span class="u-underline">Guidelines</span> — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * Protect from elements & predators * Wind * [Windbreak hedge](/windbreak/) * [Nurse tree](/nurse-tree/) * [Dead hedge](/dead-hedge/) * Wind & cold * Greenhouse * Polytunnel * Cold frames * Potting shed * Heated propagation bed Also protect some young plants from direct sun. --- # 4. Guidelines  1. [Windbreak](/windbreak/) 2. [Tree spacing](/spacing/) 👈 3. [Ground cover](/ground-cover/) 4. [Nutrients](/nutrients/) <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — <span class="u-underline">Guidelines</span> — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * Forest garden emulates woodland edge * Need to make sure enough light gets to understorey * **Plant for final size**! * Check [PFAF](https://pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx) & [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/Search-Form) for sizes * More work to move than to plan! * For cultivated fruit trees, choose right [rootstock](/rootstock/) * Formula: ¼ to ½ average canopy diameters Illustration based on Martin Crawford’s Creating a Forest Garden --- # 4. Guidelines  1. [Windbreak](/windbreak/) 2. [Tree spacing](/spacing/) 4. [Ground cover](/ground-cover/) 👈 5. [Nutrients](/nutrients/) <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — <span class="u-underline">Guidelines</span> — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * **Always** keep the ground covered * Annuals, use a mulch. Forest garden, use ground cover plants * When establishing, use bark or wood chip, plus temporary ground cover * Wood chip mulch [does not rob nitrogen](https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/wood-chips.pdf) (PDF)! * I prefer bark but wood chip more available * Best temporary ground cover in West Wales, [White Mustard](https://pfaf.org/user/plant.aspx?LatinName=Sinapis+alba)—buy bulk --- # 4. Guidelines  1. [Windbreak](/windbreak/) 2. [Tree spacing](/spacing/) 4. [Ground cover](/ground-cover/) 5. [Nutrients](/nutrients/) 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — <span class="u-underline">Guidelines</span> — Principles — Overview</h6> ??? * Calculate **[nutrient budget](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/nutrients/)**, Creating a Forest Garden Ch.6 * Have soil test for nutrients & pH, local farmers co-op * Make sure to have enough “system plants” providing nutrients * NPK — Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium * Nitrogen: alder, pea family, Sea Buckthorn, Autumn Olive * Potassium: [comfrey](/comfrey/) * Phosphorous: not really provided by plants * ['Bocking 14'](https://www.organiccatalogue.com/products/comfrey-bocking-14-plants_mh6390), sterile, bred for nutrients * [Dwarf Comfrey](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/75444/Symphytum-ibericum/Details), good thick ground cover --- class: middle, center # 5. Key principles <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — <span class="u-underline">Principles</span> — Overview</h6> --- # 5. Principles  1. Work with nature 2. Vegan, organic, natural 3. Native plants where possible 4. People at heart 💚 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — <span class="u-underline">Principles</span> — Overview</h6> --- # 5. Principles  1. Work with nature 👈 2. Vegan, organic, natural 3. Native plants where possible 4. People at heart 💚 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — <span class="u-underline">Principles</span> — Overview</h6> ??? * “Working with nature to grow edible crops” is subtitle of Martin Crawford’s seminal book [Creating a Forest Garden](https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/product/creating-a-forest-garden-2/) * Create balanced ecosystem for weed control, pest control & nutrients * No dig * Sustainable --- # 5. Principles  1. Work with nature 2. Vegan, organic, natural 👈 3. Native plants where possible 4. People at heart 💚 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — <span class="u-underline">Principles</span> — Overview</h6> ??? * Vegan - because why kill animals and terrible impact of industrial farming * Organic, no artifical pesticides or herbicides * Natural - sustainable local materials, not new concrete, no plastic, no oil. Or at very least recycled. --- # 5. Principles  1. Work with nature 2. Vegan, organic, natural 3. Native plants where possible 👈 4. People at heart 💚 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — <span class="u-underline">Principles</span> — Overview</h6> ??? * Use in **bulk** eg windbreaks & ground cover * Native plants co-evolved with wildlife * Food source for invertebrates * Support food web * “If something is not eating your plants, then your garden is not part of the ecosystem” --- # 5. Principles  1. Work with nature 2. Vegan, organic, natural 3. Native plants where possible 4. People at heart 💚 👈 <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — <span class="u-underline">Principles</span> — Overview</h6> ??? * People tend the land * Rekindle relationship with the world * Management, management, management * Who will look after the garden? * Always budget for it in a project * Grow gardeners as well as gardens * [Tending the Wild](https://archive.org/details/tendingwildnativ0000ande) by Kat Anderson - Native American knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources --- class: middle, center # 6. Overview of creating<br>a forest garden <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — <span class="u-underline">Overview</span></h6> --- class: middle # 6. Overview 1. Survey 2. Design 3. Landscape structure 4. Landscape areas <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — <span class="u-underline">Overview</span></h6> --- # 1. Survey  * Orientation * The elements * Existing features * Neighbours <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — <span class="u-underline">Overview</span></h6> ??? [bit.ly/forest-garden-checklist](https://bit.ly/forest-garden-checklist) --- # 2. Design  1. Structures 2. Paths 3. Windbreaks 4. Canopy 5. Shrubs & cover <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — <span class="u-underline">Overview</span></h6> --- # 3. Landscape structure  1. Paths 2. Structures 3. Canopy 4. Windbreaks <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — <span class="u-underline">Overview</span></h6> --- # 4. Landscape areas  1. Deturf 2. Plant shrubs & cover 3. Mulch & temporary cover <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — <span class="u-underline">Overview</span></h6> ??? Understorey area-by-area --- # Class resources 1. [Creating a Forest Garden](https://www.agroforestry.co.uk/product/creating-a-forest-garden-2/) by Martin Crawford 2. [Forest garden survey checklist](https://bit.ly/forest-garden-checklist) 3. [Forest Garden Spreadsheet](https://bit.ly/forest-garden-spreadsheet) 4. [Sun Surveyor app](https://www.sunsurveyor.com/) 5. [Plants For A Future](https://pfaf.org/user/Default.aspx) website 6. [Plant Atlas](https://plantatlas2020.org/) UK native plants 7. [RHS Plant Finder](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/search-form) 8. Full list on my resources page [natureworks.org.uk/resources](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/resources/) <h6 class="breadcrumb">Definition — Why — Characteristics — Guidelines — Principles — Overview</h6> --- class: middle, center # The End  <hello@natureworks.org.uk> [natureworks.org.uk/newsletter](https://www.natureworks.org.uk/newsletter)