The Design + process

In August 2013 work began creating a series of 18-day Hot Composts on-site to kickstart the fertility of the soil in the 60m2 sloping bed designated for a Food Forest at the rear of the Mill Park Salvation Army (see here).

In October 2013 work began to clear existing plants, terrace the slope and lay stepping stones to allow access through the bed. Irrigation that was fed from a large up-slope rainwater tank was designed, installed and set on an automatic timer.

The bed was on a steep slope so taller trees and shrubs were set high on the slope graduating down in height with small border plants and ground covers at the edge of the Food Forest garden that bordered a public footpath.

Culinary, medcinal and support plants were then laid out on-site according to the design, planted and then covered in thick straw mulch and generously watered in. The irrigation timer was set and finally it was all in place: A beautiful 60m2 treasure chest of edibles and medicinals full of harvest, fruit, flower and scent.

The Food Forest was brimming with culinary and medicinal plants as well as plants to support pollinators, beneficial insects and wildlife, along with plants to support the soil – all thriving with the plentiful compost, water and sun.

Eight fruit trees, including Persimmon and Sour Cherry, were added to the existing Olive trees on the site. Six support Nitrogen-fixing trees included Acacia varieties and Tagasaste.

A variety of berries was added in the form of shrubs, including Black Currant, and vines, including Tay Berry and Boysenberry, which were trained across steel archways that doubled as entranceways to access the garden using stepping stones to keep feet off the soil and away from the plants.

Medicinals included Chinese Mugwort and Aloe Vera while natives featured varieties of Correa and Acacia.

A large array of herbaceous plants included Lemongrass, edible Cannas and Cardamom.

And a veritable feast of herbs included Thyme, Rosemary, Sage and many varieties of Mint.

Picking greens included French Sorrel while annual self-seeders, such as Italian Parsley and Swiss Chard, could be relied on to spring up prolifically without replanting.

A variety of prolific groundcovers were used to cover the bare soil between plants, including Strawberries, while five varieties of root crops were planted, including Jerusalem Artichoke. Wild plants included Stinging Nettles ad Wild Rocket among many others.