Forest Gardening: Rediscovering Nature & Community in a Post-industrial Age

by Robert Adrian de Jauralde Hart

Forest gardening is a way of working with nature which is not only productive and requires minimal maintenance, but also has fantastic environmental benefits.

You don't need a forest for forest gardening. Based on the model of a healthy natural woodland, a forest garden incorporates a wide variety of useful plants, including fruit and nut trees, perennial herbs, and vegetables in vertical layers. They rarely require any weeding, digging or pest control and as plants are chosen for their beneficial effects on one another, they form their own sustainable ecosystems, offering great environmental benefits.

Written by forest gardening pioneer, Robert Hart, this comprehensive guide to forest gardening describes its principles and practice, including guidelines on how to design and maintain a forest garden, and lists of recommended species for temperate, tropical and sub-tropical climates. It also shows potential value of forest gardening for countering environmental devastation.

Hart's book beautifully describes his decades of experience gardening in the Shropshire countryside, and offers fresh ways of understanding the relationships between people and growing plants. Blending history, philosophy, anthropology, and seasoned gardening wisdom in a lucid sequence of essays, Forest Gardening examines the pleasure of 'hands off' as well as hands-on gardening.

For gardeners who aspire to create ecological as well as beautiful gardens, Forest Gardening will be an inspiration and a pleasure.

Genres: Gardening, Agriculture, Nonfiction, Food, Plants, Horticulture, Environment

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could change the world if more people read it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping for a few actual examples and layouts for designing a forest garden... HOWEVER, I ended up reading this extremely interesting book cover-to-cover. Loads of interesting information re: forest gardens in other countries and how people live off an extremely small area of land, right outside their front door. Also fascinating from a historical perspective. The last few pages give a listing of plants appropriate for using in a forest garden, and also a general idea of how to plan your own forest garden.
I am NOT sure, however, that many of the claims are researched and/or accurate; but it was an interesting read nonetheless.

[Lydia Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since we moved in the last year to forested property, it was interesting and useful for me to read about forests that provide a lot of different types of food, and how one might start. The concept of forest garden takes this one step further, providing also lots of other useful things, as well as a complete ecosystem for all sorts of life that happen to dwell in it. It is a bit long on detailed information, but contains practical recommendations. What I liked best is that I can open it up, find what I need, read the essentials, and have a good summary understanding of certain aspects of forest gardening in a very short time

[Betsy Dion · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more of a philosophical treatise than a how-to manual for forest gardening. Forest gardening attempts to replicate the symbiotic relationships that naturally occur in a forest when planning a garden that produces food and other goods for human consumption. Although I don't agree with all of the ideas that the author proposes (veganism, etc), it does have some interesting ideas about fighting world hunger and restoring more human dignity to our work. It is worth a read and I may revisit it at some point in the future.

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of good information in this book. The first few chapters talk about the author's personal forest garden, and then much of the rest of the book is information about forest gardening in different cultures around the world. I would have liked to have had more details on designing a working system, but what is here is a very good overview and introduction.

[Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't have experience in forestry or gardening, but this book was very useful in teaching me a bit more about the forest garden, with some useful tips sprinkled in. I agree with other reviews that say it feels more like a philosophical treatise at times, which of course isn't a bad thing, but it is something to bear in mind. There's a lot of leaps in judgement that imply the earth (frequently personified as Nature or Gaia) giveth unto us whatever we need if only we let it, which doesn't seem to be wholly backed up by the science provided - however, I think as permaculture has become more popular such science has started to confirm a few of these claims.

[Marijan Šiško · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of an autobiography/philosophical treatise than a book about creating a forest garden. Although interesting, author occasionally diverts in fields in which obviously his expertise is limited, and rambles about body acidity/alkalinity and improving immune system by essential oils. Interesting read nonetheless.

[Marc-Antoine Serou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, not very clear on exactly what he did in his garden (I recommend the dvd The Permaculture Orchard with Stefan Sobkoviak for a more step-by-step advices). Still very informative and beautiful to read.

[Lydia St Giles · Rating 5 out of 5]

PUBLISHED by Green Books, UK, this is the first edition of Forest Gardening and the one I have on my shelves. It's one of my top ten books on gardening.

There's no need to own five acres. The writer is a missionary for what he sees as an important direction for owners of ordinary gardens. There is plenty of practical advice mixed with the campaign for better use of our small planet. And some good ways to save money by growing forest-happy foods.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems that the author is both a practical gardener and a world leader of an agricultural movement. the book is mixed from viewpoints of both roles of the author, with far more philosophy, historical recount, culture/personality survey, future predictions, than actual how-to guide, unfortunately to me, as I'm seeking for the latter.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting concept! It involves intensive planting and gardening, which most people are not capable or willing to do. However, there are some very good ideas that can be incorporated into any garden.

[Erika RS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hart's book is a rambling series of essays which talk about the author's experiences creating a forest garden in England. It's interesting, but it's more a philosophical treatise than a gardening book.

[Eileen]

Not an ordinary gardening book at all. This reads more like a series of lectures from a professor who loves to ramble and is deeply interested in hundreds of different things, reputable and not.

[Tracey]

One of my heros Robert Hart pioneer of the temperate forest garden much of my land design is based on this book.

[Kathely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant ideas, dry style.

[Barbc]

15

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This mostly European. I mostly just skimmed it.

[Logan Streondj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent overview of forest gardening all around the world, particularly in Africa and India, an well as UK. Many ideas and visions for future integration as well as stories of past successes.

[Patty Garland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great permaculture primer.