Sustainable forest garden

Sustainable forest garden

Sustainable forest garden— is a multi-tiered natural and economic ecosystem in which fruit trees, nut crops, berry bushes, perennial herbs, vegetables, vines, groundcover plants, fungi, microorganisms and animals form a single interconnected system.

Its purpose is not only to produce a harvest. A sustainable forest garden must simultaneously:

produce food;

restore soil fertility;

retain water;

reduce erosion;

create a favorable microclimate;

support pollinators;

provide habitat for birds and beneficial animals;

preserve genetic and biological diversity;

gradually reduce dependence on watering, fertilizers and constant cultivation;

remain productive during droughts, heat, frosts and other climate changes.

A sustainable forest garden is not an ordinary garden with many crops, butmanaged model of forest ecosystem, adapted for humans.

The main principle

In conventional agriculture, each function often has to be provided separately:

the soil is fertilized;

weeds are removed;

the plants are watered;

pests are destroyed;

the land is regularly cultivated;

They are trying to attract additional pollinators.

In a forest garden, these functions gradually begin to support each other.

Trees create shade and litter. Shrubs fill the space beneath the canopy. Groundcover plants protect the soil from drying out. Deep-rooting crops loosen the lower horizons. Nitrogen-fixing plants support the nitrogen cycle. Fungi metabolize wood. Flowering grasses attract pollinators and predatory insects. Birds and amphibians control some pests.

Man does not cease to manage the forest garden, but gradually moves from a constant struggle with natural processes to directing them.

Key features of a sustainable forest garden

1. Multi-tiered

Plants occupy different levels of space:

high tree layer;

middle fruit tier;

low trees;

shrubs;

herbaceous perennials;

ground cover plants;

root crops;

vines;

fungi and soil organisms.

Multi-tiered planting allows for greater utilization of sunlight, soil, and moisture than in a single planting.

But sustainability doesn't mean maximum density. If there are too many trees, they begin to compete excessively for light, water, and nutrients. Therefore, the height, canopy width, and root depth must be considered at the design stage.

2. Permanently closed soil

In a sustainable forest garden, the ground should remain almost bare.

She is protected by:

living groundcover plants;

leaves;

wood chips;

mown grass;

straw;

compost;

low shrubs;

perennial herbs.

Closed soil:

overheats less;

loses moisture more slowly;

less damaged by rain;

does not produce dust;

better supports earthworms, bacteria and fungi;

gradually accumulates organic matter.

3. Diverse root system

Plants must use different soil horizons.

Surface roots quickly intercept rainwater. Fibrous roots of grasses strengthen the surface layer. Taproots of alfalfa and chicory penetrate deeper. Trees form a durable underground framework.

Diversity of roots:

reduces erosion;

improves soil structure;

creates channels for air and water;

nourishes microorganisms;

reduces direct competition between plants.

4. Water resistance

Water is designed before the main planting.

A sustainable forest garden must:

collect rainwater;

slow down surface runoff;

direct excess water in a safe way;

increase its penetration into the soil;

reduce evaporation;

have a reserve in case of drought.

For this purpose the following are used:

mulch;

water collection bowls;

contour ditches;

small shafts;

ponds;

rain gardens;

overflow channels;

hedges;

drip irrigation;

reservoirs.

Water should not stagnate near crops that cannot tolerate waterlogging. Therefore, a forest garden must simultaneously retain moisture and have safe drainage.

5. The cycle of organic matter

Most of the clean plant matter is returned to the system.

Used:

leaf litter;

pruned branches;

a branch;

mown grass;

plant residues;

mature compost;

dead roots;

wood for mushrooms.

Thus, nutrients are not constantly removed from the site, but rather repeatedly pass through plants, soil, fungi and animals.

In this case, biomass that is diseased, infected or contaminated with heavy metals must be removed separately.

6. Biodiversity

Resilience increases when the system consists of different:

species;

varieties;

rootstock;

flowering periods;

ripening periods;

root types;

crown levels;

methods of reproduction.

Diversity reduces the chance that one disease, drought, or frost will wipe out an entire crop.

A forest garden shouldn't be created with just one apple variety, one berry bush, and one groundcover plant. A functional and genetic mosaic is needed.

7. Continuous flowering

In a forest garden, different plants should bloom in succession:

early spring;

late spring;

in summer;

at the end of summer;

in the fall.

This ensures constant power supply:

bees;

bumblebees;

butterflies;

butterfly;

solitary bees;

predatory and parasitic insects.

A continuous flower conveyor improves pollination quality and biological stability.

8. Beneficial relationships between plants

Instead of a random assortment of crops, plant communities, or guilds, are formed.

For example, around an apple tree there may be:

currant as a berry bush;

clover as a ground cover and nitrogen-fixing plant;

comfrey as a source of mulch;

strawberries as a living cover;

chives as an early honey plant;

yarrow for beneficial insects;

wood chips for mushroom net.

Each component must perform one or more functions:

harvest;

soil protection;

biomass accumulation;

pollinator nutrition;

shadow creation;

wind protection;

soil restoration;

water regulation.

9. Succession

The forest garden is developing in stages.

In the first years, the following predominate:

cereals;

green manure;

legumes;

flowering annuals;

fast-growing shrubs;

temporary crops.

Then the following are formed:

fruit trees;

berry bushes;

permanent groundcover plants;

vines;

mushroom zones.

After a few years, some of the sun-loving plants disappear as the shade increases. They are replaced by shade-tolerant crops.

Therefore, the planting plan must take into account not only the initial appearance of the site, but also its condition after 5, 10 and 20 years.

Layers of a sustainable forest garden

Functional zones

It is advisable to divide a sustainable forest garden into zones.

Production zone

Here are the main ones:

fruit trees;

berry bushes;

nut-bearing;

perennial vegetables;

medicinal and spice crops.

It should be convenient for harvesting, trimming and transporting the crop.

Nursery area

Intended for:

growing seedlings;

rooting cuttings;

storage of reserve plants;

replacement of dead trees;

propagation of successful local varieties.

Nature conservation area

Includes:

local plants;

shrub shelters;

dead wood;

unmown areas;

places for birds;

stone piles;

wet biotopes.

Water zone

May include:

pond;

rain garden;

swampy area;

filtration strip;

sedges;

rug;

alive;

moisture-loving plants.

Economic zone

The following are located here:

tool;

compost;

wood chips;

reservoirs;

irrigation system;

sorting area;

place for processing the harvest.

Remediation zone

If part of the land is contaminated, it is separated from the food forest.

The following are used here:

industrial plants;

stabilizing herbs;

willow;

miscanthus;

mustard;

amaranth;

sunflower;

other non-food crops.

The crops and biomass from this area should not enter the food cycle.

Stages of creation

The first stage is research

The following are carried out:

soil analysis;

water analysis;

relief study;

determination of sunny and shaded zones;

wind observation;

pollution assessment;

drawing up a site map.

The second stage is water and infrastructure

Before mass planting, the following are created:

watershed;

drainage;

main paths;

entrance;

reservoirs;

watering;

utility areas;

fencing.

The third stage is soil restoration

Used:

mulching;

compost;

green manure;

cereals;

alfalfa;

clover;

deep-rooted crops;

minimal loosening;

protection against compaction.

The fourth stage is planting the frame

Landing:

main tall trees;

fruit trees;

windbreak strips;

shrubs;

nitrogen-fixing plants;

plants of aquatic zones.

The fifth stage is filling the tiers

Added:

ground covers;

perennial vegetables;

medicinal plants;

vines;

flowering crops;

mushroom areas.

The sixth stage is regulation

As we grow, the following is carried out:

pruning;

thinning;

removal of temporary plants;

replacement of unsuitable species;

opening of skylights;

vine control;

mulch renewal;

soil and water monitoring.

What makes a forest garden truly sustainable?

Resilience is determined not by the number of plants, but by the ability of the system to survive disturbances.

A forest garden is sustainable if:

the death of one species does not destroy the entire system;

the harvest is formed at different times;

there are reserve water sources;

the soil is constantly closed;

water does not cause erosion;

there are plants with different root depths;

no dependence on one variety;

pollinators and natural enemies of pests are present;

organic matter is returned to the soil;

access and care are maintained;

there is a plan to replace old trees;

food and contaminated areas are separated;

continuous monitoring is carried out.

Sustainable forest garden DREVO

In the DREVO model, a forest garden can become part of a wider system:

restoration of degraded lands;

safe food production;

collective nursery;

preservation of rare varieties;

teaching children and adults;

support local farmers;

processing of seasonal products;

creation of jobs;

restoration of water regime;

formation of public space;

support biodiversity.

Such a forest garden is simultaneously:

garden;

small forest;

nursery;

water collection system;

soil laboratory;

food system;

animal shelter;

educational space;

model of sustainable settlement.

Definition

The DREVO sustainable forest garden is a multi-layered, biodiverse, and managed ecosystem that integrates soil restoration, water storage, safe food production, biodiversity support, and a gradual reduction in dependence on external resources.

Its development is built according to the following sequence:

Site assessment → security → water management → soil restoration → tree frame planting → layering → biodiversity creation → production → processing → continuous updating and monitoring.

A sustainable forest garden doesn't literally replicate a natural forest. It uses its principles to create a productive, long-lasting, and beneficial living system.