Garden And Gossip Forums

On BBC news site this morning:-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/edib...est_garden

A novel idea but I'm sure I'd forget where I'd planted things if they weren't in a block or a row.

My garden is an "edible forest garden".
First heard about the concept on a permaculture course that I went on 18 years ago, not long after I'd bought the extra bit of land at the end of the garden (the old orchard). The permaculture tutor "Michelle" asked the group whether anyone would host a group visit, that we could all walk around and redesign on permaculture/forest garden principles - so they all came here!
Michelle said that I had all the basics already in place - like the fruit trees and bushes - but needed to introduce the lower layers, the perennial vegetables etc.
You've seen the photos of my jungle. I'll say no more.!

The perennial part of my garden does take very little maintenance and produces a vast amount: apples, pears, red/black currants, gooseberries...
How do you replace the food value of all the annuals: peas, beans, courgettes...grains wheat/oats ... potatoes?

One tree that would provide plenty of calories and store well would be hazel nuts but how do you keep squirrels at bay?

Can you be self sufficient with a perennial garden or, like hunter gatherers would you need to eat plenty of meat/fish as well?

(09-07-2023, 10:18 AM)Mark_Riga Wrote: [ -> ]The perennial part of my garden does take very little maintenance and produces a vast amount: apples, pears, red/black currants, gooseberries...
How do you replace the food value of all the annuals: peas, beans, courgettes...grains wheat/oats ... potatoes?

One tree that would provide plenty of calories and store well would be hazel nuts but how do you keep squirrels at bay?

Can you be self sufficient with a perennial garden or, like hunter gatherers would you need to eat plenty of meat/fish as well?

The article is about low-maintenance gardening - not self-sufficiency. How many gardeners here grow wheat/oats? 

Steven Barstow's Blog https://www.edimentals.com/blog/ is full of plants that you never thought were edible and for ways in keeping them growing overwinter. His enormous salads  are incredible.

(09-07-2023, 09:52 AM)Veggie Wrote: [ -> ]My garden is an "edible forest garden".
First heard about the concept on a permaculture course that I went on 18 years ago, not long after I'd bought the extra bit of land at the end of the garden (the old orchard). The permaculture tutor "Michelle" asked the group whether anyone would host a group visit, that we could all walk around and redesign on permaculture/forest garden principles - so they all came here!
Michelle said that I had all the basics already in place - like the fruit trees and bushes - but needed to introduce the lower layers, the perennial vegetables etc.
You've seen the photos of my jungle. I'll say no more.!

When I spotted the article my first thought was of you!

It reminded me of Alys Fowlers ‘The Edible Garden’. It’s still available to watch on iPlayer.

(09-07-2023, 10:18 AM)Mark_Riga Wrote: [ -> ]The perennial part of my garden does take very little maintenance and produces a vast amount: apples, pears, red/black currants, gooseberries...
How do you replace the food value of all the annuals: peas, beans, courgettes...grains wheat/oats ... potatoes?

One tree that would provide plenty of calories and store well would be hazel nuts but how do you keep squirrels at bay?

Can you be self sufficient with a perennial garden or, like hunter gatherers would you need to eat plenty of meat/fish as well?

Now you're talking................

(09-07-2023, 11:26 AM)Veggie Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-07-2023, 10:18 AM)Mark_Riga Wrote: [ -> ]Can you be self sufficient with a perennial garden or, like hunter gatherers would you need to eat plenty of meat/fish as well?

The article is about low-maintenance gardening - not self-sufficiency. How many gardeners here grow wheat/oats? 

Steven Barstow's Blog https://www.edimentals.com/blog/ is full of plants that you never thought were edible and for ways in keeping them growing overwinter. His enormous salads  are incredible.

I don't aim to be self sufficient but I do want to convince myself that, if push came to shove, I could be and growing annuals/bi-annuals seems to be needed for this. This year, I'm growing a patch of quinoa which doesn't seem to be thriving at the moment. This, together with beans. peas, onions, garlic, carrots tomatoes, herbs and potatoes could form the basis of a reasonable diet with fruit and some greens. I'd miss oats and coffee most I think.

(09-07-2023, 02:56 PM)Vinny Wrote: [ -> ]

(09-07-2023, 10:18 AM)Mark_Riga Wrote: [ -> ]Can you be self sufficient with a perennial garden or, like hunter gatherers would you need to eat plenty of meat/fish as well?

Now you're talking................

If you had to rely on what you caught/grew yourself, would you be well fed?