I just learned a new term! (Almost as good as learning a new word, but not quite.)
I read about the two-volume Edible Forest Gardens bookset on Treehugger and became intrigued. Checking out the author’s site, I learned that, “edible forest gardening is the art and science of putting [food-bearing or medicinal] plants together in woodland-like patterns that forge mutually beneficial relationships, creating a garden ecosystem that is more than the sum of its parts.”
Okay, nothing new there, except maybe that term. Like most gardeners, I’m aware that yes, used appropriately, trees are good. But the idea of combining a woodland garden concept with a high-yield food garden was a new one for me. While I’ve long been into edible landscaping, I’ve been thinking about it the other way ’round, planting vegetables that are attractive, rather than planting trees/shrubs/perennials/annuals that produce food. And whoa, keep my woodland garden separate, please. I’m going to have to rethink that now. I love the idea of creating a high-food-yield woodland ecosystem. I may even shell out the $55 for the book.
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