Anyone with a patch of land can grow a food forest! A food forest, or forest garden, is a gardening technique that mimics a forest ecosystem but substitutes in edible trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. A medicinal food forest has the additional benefit of producing medicinal botanicals. Fruit and nut trees comprise the upper canopy of the forest while below are berry shrubs, edible perennials, herbs, root crops and annuals. Companion plants are included to attract beneficial insects, build the soil, and provide mulch. Together they create a sustainable forest garden ecosystem able to produce high yields of food with less maintenance.
In this course Michael Pilarski, permaculture and wildcrafting expert, teaches you how to turn your back yard into a food forest. Filmed on site in Michael’s back yard, this is not a classroom-based course. Michael teaches the basics of food forest planting while planting his own medicinal food forest on 1/8 of an acre. Does an 1/8 of an acre sound big to you? Don’t worry! In this course Michael talks about how to scale what you’re learning to your own back yard or land.
Forest gardening is an ancient art and science that can teach you sustainable methods for growing your food and medicine. As Masanobu Fukuoka once said, “The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.” Food forest gardening allows you to experience ecology first hand. It provides you with a rare opportunity to live with nature and learn how to exist a little more sustainably.
What others are saying about the course …
“If you need motivation, this video has it. I felt like I was onsite with Michael as he was working and teaching. Then to see the growth after only 4 months was very impressive.“
Mark, Watsonville, California
About the Author
Michael Pilarski is a farmer, educator and author who has devoted his life to studying and teaching how people can live sustainably on this Earth. He has extensive experience in organic farming, seed collecting, wildcrafting medicinal herbs, plant propagation, horticulture, teaching, and international networking. Michael has personally worked with over 1,000 species of plants. He founded Friends of the Trees Society in 1978 and has authored many books on forestry, agriculture, agroforestry and ethnobotany. Michael has been involved in the permaculture movement since 1981 as a writer, teacher and networker. He has taught over 20 full Permaculture Design Courses in the USA and abroad.
About the Publisher
Organic Life Guru’s mission is to empower the world’s leading organic growers to share their skills, experience, and message with other growers like you wherever you are.
Organic Life Guru is an organic gardening, permaculture, and sustainable food systems education publishing company.
What others are saying about this course…
“If you need motivation, this video has it. I felt like I was onsite with Michael as he was working and teaching. Then to see the growth after only 4 months was very impressive.”
~ Mark, California, USA
“Favorite part was the 4 month old garden. Liked the planting stage in the beginning too. Skeeter does a good job of telling about all the details.”
~ Pam, Virginia, USA
“This course was great! I especially liked the fence how-to.”