A step-by-step guide to creating a maximum output for minimum labour food producing garden, designed using the ecological principles of a natural woodland. Highly practical and inspiring, How To Make A Forest Garden tells you everything you need to know in order to create a beautiful and productive forest garden. A forest garden is a food-producing garden, based on the model of a natural woodland or forest. It is made up of fruit and nut trees, fruit bushes, perennial vegetables and herbs. It can be tailored to fit any space, from a tiny urban back yard to a large rural garden. A close copy of a natural ecosystem, it is perhaps the most ecologically friendly way of gardening open to us, as well as being a low-maintenance option. Once established there is none of the digging, sowing, planting out and hoeing of the conventional kitchen garden. The main task is picking up the produce!
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Patrick Whitefield has succeeded in writing an enjoyable and tinely book which will appeal to anyone who yearns to produce food sustainably. Organic gardeners, permaculture designers and growers, ecologists and conservationists will love it. It covers all aspects of designing, planting and maintaining a forest garden; details useful and less obvious plants, from fruit trees to mushrooms; creating home-grown biological resources; controlling pests organically; mulching and no-dig methods. A common thread throughout the book is the balance of sensible, practical suggestions with a wealth of background facts and data. It is both a manual of forest gardening and an important text for permaculture in temperate climates. --Malcolm New, Permaculture Magazine
From the Publisher
A forest garden is a food-producing garden, based on the model of a natural woodland or forest. It is made up of fruit and nut trees, fruit bushes, perennial vegetables and herbs. It can be tailored to fit any space, from a tiny urban back yard to a large rural garden.
A close copy of a natural ecosystem, it is perhaps the most ecologically friendly way of gardening open to us.
It is also a low-maintenance way of gardening. Once established there is none of the digging, sowing, planting out and hoeing of the conventional kitchen garden. The main task is picking the produce.
A close copy of a natural ecosystem, it is perhaps the most ecologically friendly way of gardening open to us.
It is also a low-maintenance way of gardening. Once established there is none of the digging, sowing, planting out and hoeing of the conventional kitchen garden. The main task is picking the produce.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
152 of 152 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Smith
Format:Paperback
This book is inspirational and practical. It shows how to create an ecosystem of food-producing plants, whether you have a large garden or a few yards of spare ground. The plants are arranged to replicate a woodland or forest environment, with the emphasis on low-maintainance and production of food (fruit, nuts, vegetables) throughout the year. The first chapter considers the environmental philosophy of this type of gardening. Subsequent chapters cover the plant types suitable for the UK, divided into categories of trees, shrubs and ground-layer plants. Each plant type is described in a very readable manner, with details such as basic growing requirements (soil, light, water), eventual size and yield. Although familiar plants such as rhubarb, raspberries, apples, plums are described, less common but equally viable varieties such as medlar and quince, even kiwis, are treated in equal detail.
Most of the emphasis is on the smaller trees which grow to about 3-4 m height. Larger trees such as chequer and walnut are described only briefly. The chapter on vegetables deals with perennial and self-seeding varieties, rather than the annuals of a typical vegetable plot. Particularly useful is a chart showing at what time of year each type of fruit can be harvested. More sketchy is how long it takes from planting the trees to when they start bearing fruit, however, for most varieties this would seem to be about 5 years. The last chapter deals with planning and gives an example of how a medium-sized garden could be adapted for this type of food production. The last few pages give details of nurseries that can supply the plants, so if you want a change from the shiny citrus fruits at the local supermarket, a garden of mulberry and medlar is only a phone call away.
Most of the emphasis is on the smaller trees which grow to about 3-4 m height. Larger trees such as chequer and walnut are described only briefly. The chapter on vegetables deals with perennial and self-seeding varieties, rather than the annuals of a typical vegetable plot. Particularly useful is a chart showing at what time of year each type of fruit can be harvested. More sketchy is how long it takes from planting the trees to when they start bearing fruit, however, for most varieties this would seem to be about 5 years. The last chapter deals with planning and gives an example of how a medium-sized garden could be adapted for this type of food production. The last few pages give details of nurseries that can supply the plants, so if you want a change from the shiny citrus fruits at the local supermarket, a garden of mulberry and medlar is only a phone call away.
52 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
For those with any amount of land who want it to be productive and efficient, here is a book that:
1. Addresses low energy living holistically (from houses to heating to food production)
2. Recommends approaches to growing food all year without overuse of machinery
3. Chooses crops and approaches that fit with human-powered activity
4. Sets you on the right path on nearly any issue of sustainable living
Excellent reading for those who wish to prepare for the day when the world will not be so comfortable.
35 of 39 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
and an excellent source of information, even if you are not particularly interested in planting a full scale forest garden. The sections on trees, bushes and perennial vegetables in particular in a mine of practical advice on how to grow these, and would be of interetest to anyone comtemplating growing anything from rohan or whitebeam to Good king henry, through a variety of fruit bushes.
Buy it for your nearest and dearest gardener at the first occasion :)
Buy it for your nearest and dearest gardener at the first occasion :)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
excellent, well researched book
This is one of the best sustainable gardening/agriculture book I have read, very well researched, informative and inspiring. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Shaun
4.0 out of 5 stars
How to make a forest garden
I am in the very early stages of planning my Forest Garden and this book has been very helpful.
What is covered very well are the many aspects of choosing the plants you wish... Read more
What is covered very well are the many aspects of choosing the plants you wish... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Finn
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very useful but light on pictures
Reactions to this book will depend on what you expect. The book is very informative and packed with useful information. Read more
Published on 15 April 2011 by Alex Plenty
5.0 out of 5 stars
a truly wonderful book
this is a fascinating and detailed overview of how a forest garden works and how to make one. Its full of ideas, illustrations, photographs, and information. Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2010 by P. Miller
4.0 out of 5 stars
Practical advise for every garden
A highly practical book. Invaluable advise for every gardener who is interested in a natural way of producing food. Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2010 by J. Nina
5.0 out of 5 stars
How To Make A Forest Garden by Patrick Whitefield
A comprehensive account of permaculture as adapted to temperate climates, e.g. soggy Britain. Especially strong on understanding the limitations of a site, and planning the... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2010 by Mrs. E. K. Newman
4.0 out of 5 stars
How to make a forest garden
As a complete novice to the wonders of permaculture this book has been a very valuable guide. The information is presented clearly with logical progression of topics and... Read more
Published on 15 Mar 2010
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forest Garden Brilliant Book
This book is incredible. It is both a brilliant introduction to the theory of "forest gardening" and a practical guide to help you establish your own growing system in what ever... Read more
Published on 12 Sep 2009 by Mr. Karl T. Roberts
5.0 out of 5 stars
How to Make a Forest Garden
What a fabulous book. Everything I wanted and more. Patrick gives so much information for the beginner or experienced gardener. Read more
Published on 8 May 2009 by Jojo P
5.0 out of 5 stars
Permaculture comes to town!
BUY THIS BOOK, Its full of details about plants we dont eat but should, its full of details you need to know about creating a garden of eden!
Published on 22 July 2003 by Mr. C. Oliver
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