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+--- Thread: May be of interest? (/showthread.php?tid=1957)
May be of interest? - Vinny - 09-07-2023
On BBC news site this morning:-
https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/edible_forest_garden
RE: May be of interest? - JJB - 09-07-2023
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.
RE: May be of interest? - Veggie - 09-07-2023
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.!
RE: May be of interest? - Mark_Riga - 09-07-2023
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?
RE: May be of interest? - Veggie - 09-07-2023
(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...The article is about low-maintenance gardening - not self-sufficiency. How many gardeners here grow wheat/oats?
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?
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.
RE: May be of interest? - Vinny - 09-07-2023
(09-07-2023, 09:52 AM)Veggie Wrote: My garden is an "edible forest garden".When I spotted the article my first thought was of you!
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.!
RE: May be of interest? - Bren - 09-07-2023
It reminded me of Alys Fowlers ‘The Edible Garden’. It’s still available to watch on iPlayer.
RE: May be of interest? - Vinny - 09-07-2023
(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...Now you're talking................
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?
RE: May be of interest? - Mark_Riga - 09-07-2023
(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.
RE: May be of interest? - Mark_Riga - 09-07-2023
(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?