What are the 7 layers of a Food Forest

1. Canopy layer

This is the most important layer of the system, creating a canopy for the forest. It is made up of full sized fruit trees, planted with enough space in between to let light in to an understory.

Choosing deciduous trees will make the most of the low winter light for the understory plants.

Plum, Peach, Nectarine, Almond, Mulberry, Loquat, Cherry, Apple, Pear, Avocado and Apricot.

2. Small Tree layer

This layer is made up of small or dwarfing fruit trees or citrus trees. These should be planted directly under the canopy layer as they will require plenty of sun.

Tamarillos, Citrus, Dwarf Fruit Trees, Persimmons, Quince and Curry Leaf Tree.

3. Shrub layer

This layer consists of shrubs and berries. Use varieties that suit your tastes and climate, and that will also encourage bird life into the garden.

Wormwood, Rosemary, Lemon Verbena, Currant, Blueberry, Guavas, Gooseberry, Jostaberries, Rose Myrtle, Goji Berry, Coffee and Guava.

4. Herbaceous layer

This layer is all about herbs and soft-stemmed edibles.

Globe Artichoke, Pepino, Rhubarb, Asparagus, Sorrel, Horseradish, Borage, Thyme, Sage and Cardamom.

5. Groundcover layer

These are planted to snuggle in between other plants, along the edges and to fill in the gaps as well as provide a protective layer over the soil.

Strawberries, Alpine Strawberries, Warrigal Greens, Parsley Continental, Parsley Curlina, Heartsease, Nasturtiums and Sweet Alyssum.

6. Climber layer

These plants are grown to make the most of any vertical spaces, be it along and up the fences, up homemade tripods or even up the trunks of the canopy layer fruit trees.

Be aware that some varieties can be rampant and can take over, so plant accordingly.

Runner Beans, Passionfruit, Choko, Grape, Hops, Kiwifruit (male & female) and Kiwiberry

7. Root layer

Planted to make the most of the improving soil. Plant shallow-rooted and easy to dig species that won’t disturb the surrounding plants and tree roots too much when harvested.

Yacon, Jerusalem Artichokes, Arrowroot, Garlic, Ginger and Turmeric.