Food Forest in Your Backyard?
Food Forest in Your Backyard?
11 Reasons why Should You Plant a Food Forest in Your Backyard
Editor’s Note
Have you ever wanted your very own food forest? Here are 11 reasons why you need one!
Food Forests and Why You Want One?
Imagine a garden that not only is visually beautiful but also delicious, a garden or forest of food a virtual cornucopia of edible plants. This is your food forest or forest garden for those of you afraid of heights (joke). Your food forest cooperates with Mother Nature rather than fighting with her. Food forests provide a diverse sowing of edible plants that imitate the ecological systems of her realm and could feed you and your family forever.
Food forests are not new, you can even find mention in the Old Testament — Genesis 1:29 God speaks to Adam, "And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb-bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food."
Food Forests are about connectivity and community. They connect families and farmers to the earth and thus nature. Trees yield nuts and fruit and provide shade to support other crops like mushrooms, herbs, and berries. Trees improve the air and hold onto the water supply. Trees are a miracle of nature and contribute so much to our civilization.
An established food forest requires little maintenance and is fully sustainable. Imagine once again a food production unit filled with fruit and nut trees, herbs, vines, and vegetables. This is today’s food forest – completely and directly useful to your family and the entire community.
11 Reasons why Should You Plant a Food Forest in Your Backyard?
1. There is nothing, but nothing, better than tasting fresh food you grew yourself.
2. Fresh food straight from the garden has exponentially more nutrition in it than food from the grocery store or at restaurants.
3. Food forests regulate temperature. Your yard will be cooler in the hot months, warmer in colder months when planned correctly. Ever walk down a concrete-covered block on a hot day? If everybody has a food forest, the whole city will be 10-20 degrees cooler. How cool is that?
4. When food prices rise, you will save lots of money.
5. When there are shortages, you won’t care because your garden will be full of food.
6. Garden therapy is real. Microbes in the soil have been shown to reduce depression and stress, and provide other health benefits. And it costs nothing. In fact, you’re getting paid for receiving therapy (with delicious treats).
7. Working with forest soil has been shown to boost the immune system as well. We suspect more health-enhancing qualities of food forestry have yet tol be discovered.
8. A food forest supports wildlife, including butterflies. We need more butterflies.
9. It attracts birds. Birdsong is also free therapy.
10. You will be more popular.
11. The earth will breathe a sigh of relief and thank you!
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