Why a food forest garden rather than a regular garden?

Why would you want a food forest garden?

Because of the trees ! A forest garden has a different feel fro other garden styles, in a large part because of the trees. They are the major element integrated into defining the other layers of the forest garden. Regular gardens do not contain trees, most do not contain shrubs.

Trees control the landscapes character and we are nestled within a sheltered, yet open canopy of trees of all heights and they will dominate but not smother the other plants.
With a tree filled forest garden, we have enlisted as our allies the most powerful  and productive vegetation on the planet, a prerequisite for healthy sustainable landscapes.

Trees have the ability to produce soil, enrich litter, fill the earth with humusy roots, quell temperature swings, hold moisture, arrest erosion and offer tiers of habitat for animals that is unparalled  and they are on our side.

You  can't beat trees, life's largest collectors of natural energy and matter.  As varied as the forest itself and as individual as its owner, a food forest is a constant rain of ripe fruits and lucious berries.

Mixing and matching styles to tailor a garden that combines food, beauty, habitat and the largest possible crop yields for the space and the greatest diversity and edges

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Open spacing of trees allows the Northern gardener to get sunlight in to reach the lower layers. Although yields of the ground level plants may be slightly less under shade, plants will be stronger,
healthier, and require less water and fertilizer, be lusher and greener.

Shrub filled margins under fruit and nut trees offer more diversity and value, ecologically, asthetically, and for my palette, than if I was just growing grass. Forest gardens offer so much more,
as nearly every cubic inch is filled and furnishes vast amounts of habitat for birds, animals and beneficial insects. Pest problems dwindle and maintenance is lower, water needs are lower and you no longer have to provide purchased fertilizers.  You don't have to till the soil. Biodiversity of birds and animals that people may have not seen for  years will be evident and the amount of food per space is unreal.

Temperate climate food forest gardens is fairly new, although food forest gardens themselves are ancient, they were more commonly found in other types of climates.

More are being currently planted and people are shifting to food forestry in the early 2000's. Food forest from old gardens is a natural evolution of a place. The fruit trees have deeper roots  and can reach nutrients that annual vegetables can't reach. Rocks and logs will mitigate the harsh climate by absorbing heat and condensing moisture and they'll protect beneficial animals like snakes and lizards.

In food forests every area offers new opportunities for designs and creativity.

I began designing the forests on this property in 1971, I have attempted to plant new trees and shrubs and perennial plants every year since. I have had many failures, but now at this time I have been able to see many successes, and in the last few years have had an abundance of food to the extent that I've had trouble finding enough people to give my extra produce to.

As I age, it is wonderful to know that when it comes to fruit and nuts and berries, I don't need to replant these on a regular basis. Only the few annual vegetables that won't come back from seed or roots need to be planted regularly. I have been building diverse raised beds to plant annual vegetation in so that it is easier to reach and maintain, but that is another post.