Also known as a forest garden, is a low-maintenance, eco-responsible, plant-based abundance system that emulates a woodland ecosystem.
Food forests are designed based on the principles of permaculture/guild gardening , which aim to create self-regulated and resilient systems that provide for nourishment, harmoniously integrating the land with its inhabitants. The design principles aim to replicate the beneficial relationships found in natural ecosystems.
In a food forest, the different layers of vegetation and examples of edible plants that can fulfill each layer or role:
Layers
Canopy Layer
This is the tallest layer and usually consists of full-sized fruit and nut trees.
Recommended Edible Plants
Walnut (Zones 4-9)
Chestnut (Zones 4-9)
Pecan (Zones 5-9)
Almond (Zones 5-9)
Cherry (Zones 4-7)
Peach (Zones 5-9)
Apricot (Zones 4-8)
Mulberry (Zones 4-8)
Persimmon (Zones 4-9)
Fig (Zones 6-9)
Understory Layer
This layer includes smaller fruit and nut trees that thrive in the partial shade of the canopy.
Recommended Edible Plants
Apple (Zones 3-8)
Pear (Zones 3-10)
Plum (Zones 3-8)
Pawpaw (Zones 5-9)
Medlar (Zones 4-8)
Quince (Zones 5-9)
Serviceberry (Zones 2-9)
Elderberry (Zones 3-9)
Hazelnut (Zones 4-9)
Jujube (Zones 6-9)
Shrub Layer
This layer is composed of fruit and nut-producing shrubs.
Recommended Edible Plants
Blueberry (Zones 3-10)
Raspberry (Zones 2-7)
Currants (Zones 3-8)
Gooseberry (Zones 3-8)
Aronia (Zones 3-8)
Sea Buckthorn (Zones 3-7)
Goumi (Zones 4-8)
Autumn Olive (Zones 3-7)
Nanking Cherry (Zones 2-7)
Honeyberry (Zones 2-7)
Herbaceous Layer
This layer includes culinary and medicinal herbs, along with other beneficial plants.
Recommended Edible Plants
Spinach (Zones 2-9)
Lettuce (Zones 4-9)
Kale (Zones 7-9)
Swiss Chard (Zones 3-10)
Mustard Greens (Zones 3-9)
Collard Greens (Zones 3-9)
Sorrel (Zones 3-8)
Borage (Zones 2-11)
Comfrey (Zones 4-9)
Yarrow (Zones 3-9)
Ground Cover Layer
These are plants that spread horizontally and provide a living mulch, protecting the soil and helping to retain moisture.
Recommended Edible Plants
Strawberries (Zones 3-10)
Creeping Thyme (Zones 4-9)
Oregano (Zones 5-10)
Wintergreen (Zones 3-8)
Creeping Raspberry (Zones 6-9)
Sweet Woodruff (Zones 4-8)
Vinca (Zones 4-8)
Ajuga (Zones 3-9)
Sedum (Zones 3-9)
Nasturtium (Zones 9-11)
Vine Layer
These are climbing plants that grow up the taller trees and shrubs, maximizing the use of vertical space.
Grapes (Zones 2-10)
Kiwi (Zones 3-9)
Passionfruit (Zones 9-11)
Hops (Zones 4-8)
Climbing Spinach (Zones 7-11)
Chayote (Zones 8-11)
Climbing Nasturtium(Zones 9-11)
Runner Beans (Zones 3-10)
Cucamelon (Zones 4-12)
Climbing Roses (Zones 4-9)
Root Layer
This layer includes plants with edible roots.
Recommended Edible Plants
Carrots (Zones 3-10)
Beets (Zones 2-10)
Potatoes (Zones 2-11)
Radishes (Zones 2-10)
Turnips (Zones 2-9)
Parsnips (Zones 2-9)
Sweet Potatoes (Zones 9-11)
Jerusalem Artichokes (Zones 3-9)
Salsify (Zones 3-9)
Rutabaga (Zones 3-9)
Roles
Nitrogen Fixers
These are plants that have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria in their roots that helps them convert atmospheric nitrogen into a form that plants can use.
Recommended Edible Plants
Peas (Zones 2-9)
Beans (Zones 3-10)
Clovers (Zones 3-10)
Alfalfa (Zones 4-8)
Vetch (Zones 4-8)
Lupins (Zones 4-8)
Fenugreek (Zones 5-11)
Lentils (Zones 8-10)
Soybeans (Zones 5-10)
Peanut (Zones 5-10)
Insectary Plants
These are plants that attract beneficial insects, either by providing habitat or by providing food in the form of nectar, pollen, or pests to prey on.
Recommended Edible Plants
Dill (Zones 2-11)
Fennel (Zones 4-9)
Coriander (Zones 2-11)
Marigold (Zones 2-11)
Borage (Zones 2-11)
Yarrow (Zones 3-9)
Calendula (Zones 2-11)
Nasturtium (Zones 9-11)
Mint (Zones 3-9)
Lemon Balm (Zones 4-9)
Mulch Makers
These are plants that produce a lot of organic matter that can be used as mulch. Mulch helps to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and add organic matter to the soil as it breaks down.
Recommended Edible Plants
Comfrey (Zones 4-9)
Yarrow (Zones 3-9)
Borage (Zones 2-11)
Alfalfa (Zones 4-8)
Clover (Zones 3-10)
Nettles (Zones 3-10)
Sorrel (Zones 3-8)
Dandelion (Zones 3-10)
Plantain (Zones 3-10)
Chickweed (Zones 3-9)
Fortress Plants
These are plants that help to protect the garden from pests or harsh conditions. They might have thorns or strong smells that deter pests, or they might act as windbreaks or sunscreens.
Recommended Edible Plants
Rosemary (Zones 6-9)
Thorny Blackberry (Zones 5-10)
Jerusalem Artichoke (Zones 3-9)
Lavender (Zones 5-9)
Thyme (Zones 5-9)
Mint (Zones 3-9)
Sage (Zones 4-8)
Oregano (Zones 5-10)
Garlic (Zones 3-9)
Onions (Zones 3-9)
Ephemeral Nutrient Cyclers
These are plants that have a short life cycle, often sprouting and dying back within a single season. They are typically early colonizers of disturbed soil, helping to stabilize it and cycle nutrients. They can also act as a living mulch, covering the soil and preventing erosion.
Recommended Edible Plants
Miner's Lettuce (Zones 6-9)
Purslane (Zones 2-11)
Chickweed (Zones 3-9)
Dandelion (Zones 3-10)
Plantain (Zones 3-10)
Nettles (Zones 3-10)
Sorrel (Zones 3-8)
Mustard Greens (Zones 3-9)
Spinach (Zones 2-9)
Lettuce (Zones 4-9)
The goal of a food forest is to grow food abundance in a way that maintains the health and biodiversity of the ecosystem. It's a key component of reGenerative food abundance, contributing to soil health, habitat creation, and carbon sequestration.
