Forest gardens - anyone got one?

[philbee]

I've been reading about edible forest gardens and am thinking about trying to do a bit of forest gardening in our borders and at the end. Does anyone know if you can do it partially like this? Can anyone recommend any books or websites to help me get started? All advice welcome!

Have you read A Taste of the Unexpected by Mark Diacono? It's not specifically about forest gardens, but it is a really inspirational book about growing unusual things to eat, and fitting them in around your existing garden. Every time I re-read it I get all excited and start evangelising at people!

I don't see why you couldn't have a partial forest garden anyway - it's just about adding extra layers isn't it, rather than growing in regimented allotment-style rows. So you could do companion planting and just slot in edible plants here and there - edible nasturtiums round the bottom of your brassicas, a cucumber growing up your trellis, an almond tree in a nice warm spot in the garden, edible daylilies and Jerusalem artichokes in your borders, etc.

Yes, that's what I thought. I could just add in some edible things instead of picking seeds by what flowers look pretty. I think a book would help in terms of planning the layering though - apparently they recommend certain trees with certain shrubs etc.

That books looks great, thank you. Also a good one for DH's birthday - he's the veg patch person round here, but we go for carrots etc. normally.