In 2010, two anonymous donors gave a total of £9,000 to the Permaculture Association to conduct a 10-year research trial into forest gardens in the UK. A mid-term report documents the achievements and challenges.
Forest gardening is a system of food growing that involves trees, shrubs and perennials, based on the sustainable ecosystem of a forest.
10 years ago, when Sustain member the Permaculture Association received the funding to conduct this trial, there was virtually no research on forest gardening in temperate climates. It decided to give half the money to a dozen newly established forest gardens to help with set-up costs, and to use the remainder to monitor their progress over the following 10 years. This report marks the half-way point of that project.
It provides a frank account of the challenges and achievements to date. The latter include a big improvement in biodiversity and soil quality, significantly less effort needed to maintain the garden, higher yields, and improved micro-climates. But it has been a challenge finding resources, volunteers and expertise.
The initial funding has now run out, but the gardeners feel the gardens have not yet reached their potential and are determined to fund-raise to continue the project. Read the report here, and find out more about Sustain's campaigning work for a greener, fairer food system here.
Published Friday 11 November 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
