According to Wikipedia; “Forest gardening is a low-maintenance, sustainable, plant-based food production and agroforestry system based on woodland ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables which have yields directly useful to humans.”.
It has been a dream of mine for many years now to one day have enough land to be able to create such a garden on, and last year my dream became true! Well, at least the first part of it did. Last year me and my parents acquired a beautiful little ranch style home in the country that sits on about 10 acres of land in Southeastern Wisconsin.
The land came with a wood’s full of canopy trees (mostly Shagbark Hickory nut trees), a rather large natural pond in the middle of it, and a large grass yard (to soon become part of the forest garden) around our house. The possibilities of what all can be done here are almost overwhelming!
The image below is a satellite image from Spring of 2019 taken with Google Earth.
I know it has a bit of an odd shape to it, but our property is just about everything you see in green. I believe we had a little drought when this image was taken because the pond is much larger now. There are also some hills that you cannot see because of the top down perspective of this image. I believe where our house sits is one of the highest points in the area.
The whole project is currently in the research and early planning stage. My plan is to try to create this forest garden in phases (one small project at a time), and document them here on my website and blog for you to see, read, and learn about.
Anyway, please keep your eyes on this page and my blog for future updates.
As I write this the snow is melting here in Southeastern Wisconsin, and Spring is only just a few short weeks away! The fun is about to begin!
Update April 4, 2021
Scouting, and Planning The Main Trail
I have begun the scouting and planning of the main trail through our woods and around our pond. You can read more about it here!
Update April 20, 2021
Clearing, and Mowing The First Part of The Main Trail
The first part of the main trail is now complete. You can read more about it here!
Update August 24, 2021
Forest Garden Project: Video Tour of The First Segment of The Main Trail
Watch my video tour of the first segment of the main trail here!
Update January 19, 2023
Forest Garden Project: Clearing, and Mowing The Second Segment of The Main Trail
The second segment of the main trail is now complete. You can read more about it here!