[WebSiteEvo]

This year I have started to grow fruit trees and bushes using principles of Forest gardening inspired by the work of  Robert Hart & Martin Crawford. So far everything is going to plan and I would highly recommend this approach.

Currant bushes planted this year are thriving under fruit trees with heavy mulch: I have 10 mixed verities.



Adding clover to the lawn to increase fertility and reduce the need to feed and treat the lawn. Lawn cuttings can be used as mulch to add nitrogen to the soil.


Gooseberry doing well, but lost allot of fruit to late frost, but should be even stronger next year as a result.


Blueberries under planted with strawberries, with comfrey growing under the hedge and Juneberry at the back.


Currants growing on the south side of a cherry tree.


Currants growing on the south side of an apple tree. + butternut squash at the back ready to climb the apple tree.


Goji Berry, Currants and strawberries in front of a hawthorn hedge.


The next step is to plant perennial vegetables and ground cover crops. Once all the ground is covered it should reduce the need to weed  

Herb garden closer to the house for easy access.



Larger Images:

http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg1.jpg
http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg5.jpg
http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg3.jpg
http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg4.jpg
http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg6.jpg
http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg7.jpg
http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg8.jpg
http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg9.jpg
http://www.gojicafe.co.uk/forest-garden/june-fg-2.jpg

 
 

[Madame Cholet]

I'm interested in layering/forest growing.

I'm trying borlotti beans through a prunus tree, pumpkins skrambling over a holly bush and a french bean arch over steps. also alpine strawberries and chives appear to be thriving at the base of my mixed fruit and nut hedge.

I replaced the derelict fence between me and my neighbour with 6 cobnuts, 2 gooseberries, 15 assorted rasberries,a goji and a fan cherry supported by trellis. I've also clothed some bare north facing walls with assorted currants and a choke berry, which i'm hoping to train.

Its amazing how you can fill spaces and be green and more productive by trying different approaches to growing . I'll be watching with interest and poaching ideas

[tam]

It looks great!

[spud]

Looking really good there WSE ... have you any more pics? I am hoping to start planting soon, but i have a very shaded garden with large trees! could you advise on some initial planting?

Cheers

 

[SusieB]

It looks great, what 'perennial veg and ground cover' plants are you going to plant please?