How to Start a Food Forest in Your Backyard

Introduction

Imagine harvesting fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs year after year while doing less work. That’s the beauty of food forest gardening! 13 years ago, I started my food forest, and each year, it produces more food with minimal effort. Today, I’ll walk you through exactly how to start your own food forest—step by step.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, this guide will equip you with everything you need to turn your backyard into a sustainable, abundant oasis. Let’s get growing!

1. Find the Perfect Spot

Site Selection:

Choosing the right location is your first step.

• Sunlight: Look for the sunniest spot in your yard. You can always grow shade later, but you can’t add more sun!
• Climate: If you live in a dry area, consider starting in a partially shaded spot to protect young plants.

Tip: Spend time observing your space before planting. Understanding where the sun hits throughout the day will help you choose the best layout for your food forest.

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2. Build Healthy Soil Life

Soil Preparation:

The foundation of every productive food forest is healthy soil. Unlike traditional gardening, where you till and fertilize annually, food forests thrive when you focus on building soil life naturally.

To prepare your soil, start by suffocating grass and weeds with overlapping contractor's paper or cardboard, making sure to mow any tall grass first to speed up decomposition. Then build layers of organic matter by spreading 2-4 inches of homemade compost for immediate soil fertility, followed by 5-8 inches of woodchips as mulch, which will suppress weeds, retain moisture, and feed soil life as it naturally breaks down.

Tip: Fresh woodchips with leaves are ideal. Leaves provide “quick release” nutrition while larger chips break down slowly over time, feeding your soil like a natural compost tea.

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3. Planting Your Food Forest

Once the soil is prepped, it’s time to plan and plant.

Start with Perennial Trees:

Focus on plants that will return year after year with minimal upkeep.

• Fruit Trees: Apples, pears, persimmons, cherries, and peaches are my go to trees.
• Nut Trees: Walnuts, chestnuts, and hazelnuts add diversity and long-term value.

Pro Tip: Choose disease-resistant varieties suited to your local climate. For example, if apple scab is common in your area, select apple trees bred to resist it.

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Why Bare-Root Trees Are Best

I highly recommend bare-root trees over potted ones. Why?

• Bare-root trees grow stronger roots because they start untangled, spreading evenly into the soil.
• They’re easier to plant and often more affordable than potted trees.

When planting:

1. Dig back the woodchips to expose the soil.
2. Plant the tree directly into the dirt.
3. Pull the woodchips back around the base, leaving about 5 inches to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

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4. Build Layers of Your Forest

Add Support Plants:

A true food forest mimics natural ecosystems. Incorporate layers of plants that support your fruit trees:

• Shrubs: Berry bushes like raspberries and blueberries provide food and attract pollinators.
• Ground Cover: Creeping plants like strawberries suppress weeds and retain moisture.
• Climbers: Grow vines like grapes or peas to maximize vertical space.
• Veggies: Add raised beds into your garden and plant them with a diversity of annuals veggies

Tip: Plant nitrogen-fixing plants like clover or comfrey around your trees. They’ll enrich the soil naturally and reduce the need for fertilizers.

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5. Maintain and Mulch for Long-Term Success

The secret to a low-maintenance food forest? Mulch and let nature work for you.

Mulching Your Garden Free & Easy:

• Add fresh layers of woodchips annually. As they break down, they’ll enrich the soil and keep weeds at bay.
• Avoid mixing woodchips with soil—they work best as mulch to insulate and feed soil life.
• Water less! The woodchips retain moisture, reducing the need for frequent watering.

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6. Choose the Right Trees

Do Your Research:

Before planting, research the best varieties for your region.

• Learn Local Pests and Diseases: Select disease-resistant trees to avoid future headaches.
• Buy Reputable Bare-Root Trees: Check out trusted suppliers like Rain Tree or Burnt Ridge for high-quality options.

By planning carefully, you’ll save yourself time, money, and frustration in the long run.

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Why Food Forests Are Worth the Effort

Starting a food forest might seem like a lot of work up front, but it’s an investment that pays off year after year:

• More Food with Less Effort: Once established, your food forest thrives with minimal maintenance.
• Natural Ecosystem: Support pollinators, improve biodiversity, and create a sustainable backyard paradise.
• Save Money: Reduce grocery bills by harvesting your own organic, nutrient-rich produce.

Imagine walking through your backyard, picking fresh apples, juicy peaches, and herbs for dinner—all while listening to the hum of bees and birds enjoying the space, too.

Conclusion: Start Your Food Forest Today

Building a food forest doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. By focusing on healthy soil, choosing the right trees, and planting smart, you’ll create a productive, beautiful garden that grows more food every year.

Key Takeaways:

• Suffocate grass with contractor’s paper or cardboard.
• Add compost and woodchips to build soil fertility naturally.
• Plant disease-resistant fruit trees and support plants for a thriving ecosystem.

Now is the perfect time to get started. Prep your soil this fall, and by next spring, you’ll be planting the foundation for your future harvests!

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Grow Your Own Food Forest

Have you started a food forest, or are you planning to? Share your experience in the comments below!

If you’re excited to start your food forest journey, don’t forget to grab our exclusive “Food Forest” T-Shirt from TeamGrow.us—a reminder of the adventure and abundance waiting in your backyard.

Let’s grow more together!