How to start agroforestry: grow delicious food in the forest

For those who enjoy wandering through the woods, there are few things more satisfying than coming across free forest snacks: blackberries, hazelnuts, wild onions, or – if you’ve really hit the jackpot – a clump of morels under a fallen tree trunk. Foraging on public lands can be a very rewarding experience indeed.

But it can also result in overharvested native plants and less impressive harvests for those hoping for more than the occasional snack. The solution: forestry. As long as you have at least a small area of ​​forest, forestry is a wonderful way to use land that might otherwise not be suitable for gardening, while also preserving native plants and growing food and medicinal ingredients at the same time. You don’t even have to have green fingers to try it.

What is agroforestry?

Forestry is a way to put wooded areas on your property to good use by growing edible and medicinal plants that prefer a wooded environment to traditional garden plots. It’s an ideal way to use spaces that might be written off as useless because you can’t build raised beds for tomatoes or dig rows for sweet corn.

But there are plants that excel in the more natural low-light conditions of the forest, and yes, not only can they be harvested, they can be planted and cared for, so you never run out of your favorite forest foods, like blueberries and papayas . , mushrooms and maple syrup. Prefer medicinal ingredients? Goldenseal, black cohosh and ginseng also grow well in the woods, including wooded areas in your backyard, depending on where in the world you live.

It’s an alternative farming practice that just made sense Laurel River Club Bed and Breakfast in Jenningston, West Virginia. The 250 hectare farm has chickens, pigs and sheep, plus plenty of fruit and vegetables, but around 150 hectares of the river valley farm is woodland or steep valley walls. Property Manager Marsha Waybright was determined to make the most of it, so she started growing plants in the abundant wooded areas. She even began offering hands-on tours to guests to teach them how to identify and use some of the plants on the property.

Benefits of forestry

For many, the value of forestry is clear: free food for the picking in their own backyard. But there’s more to it than that; nature conservation is also an important part.

Waybright explains that many plants ideal for forestry are medicinal or edible, and are therefore often overharvested, especially in parks, national forests, or on public lands, to the point that there is little left for you or the other residents of the bunch. forest. Some valuable plants, such as ramps (wild leek) in West Virginia, are flat protected with foraging bans or caps when collecting because there is overharvesting. And many public lands, such as county, state or national parks, often have rules about harvesting food or medicine or require permits for personal use.

That conservation should also extend to private lands. “All landowners must protect their land from invasive species and use best management practices, otherwise you essentially end up with an unhealthy landscape with reduced benefits to natural resources,” says Gary Wyatt, an agroforestry extension lecturer at the University of Minnesota.

The management aspect of forestry is what sets it apart from foraging and can help increase the numbers of these desirable plants, so you are giving back to the land rather than just taking (when foraging you should always leave more than you need have). harvest).

But there are also economic benefits to forestry. The types of plants you can grow in the forest can also be valuable ingredients. Think of black walnuts and chestnuts, but also medicinal plants such as ginseng and sought-after ingredients such as wild mushrooms. This means growing them can save you money on produce you already buy, or potentially become a fun side hustle. Waybright, for example, creates its own line of tinctures and botanicals using the plants it grows.

That said, “If people are looking for more income or a get-rich-quick scheme, this probably isn’t going to be the thing,” chuckles Wyatt. “You’re not going to make any retirement money doing these things.” But it’s a wonderful family activity that encourages the appreciation and management of natural resources, he adds.

The advantage is that you don’t have to have dozens of acres like Waybright to start a forest farm. Almost any area of ​​wooded area on your property will do. And you don’t even have to call yourself a gardener.

How to start your own woodlot

The beauty of forestry, Waybright says, is that much of the effort, organization and prep work of traditional agriculture is not required when planting in the forest. You do not need to till or clear the land, plant in rows and water the seedlings every day. You may not even need to fertilize or use pesticides (although that depends on your property, the insects in your area, and what you are growing). There are actually few rules.

“The nice thing about forestry is that you can do it the way you want,” she says. You could even be walking through the woods and not even know you are part of a conspiracy.

That said, the process can be as hands-on as you want. In addition to planting, you may also want to thin out competitive, non-native greenery or install fencing to protect plants that wildlife may consider a delicacy.

But before you start planting, take the time to find out what is native or easy to grow in the area where you live. “Each state has its own biome, soil type and climate conditions,” explains Wyatt, so what grows best depends on location, and by choosing wisely you can invest your time in plants that have the best chance to thrive.

Also research the best way to plant, whether it concerns seeds, bulbs or cuttings. For example, ramps from seed can take seven years to mature, Waybright says. If you’re hoping to have viable plants sooner, explore buying starter plants locally instead.

Then take a look at what is already growing on your land. If the plant does well without your help, it will probably do well if you plant more. If identifying plants is not your forte, invite a local forester to walk through your property with you or contact a local extension office for more information. In fact, your local forest service or the Department of Natural Resources may be offer a service to landowners where someone can come and inspect your land to help you identify what is already growing.

When you are ready to plant, start with just one or two forest crops that have value to you and your family. If your children like jam, plant berry bushes suitable for the region. If they can’t get enough Nutella, consider hazelnut bushes. If you love mushrooms, start with shiitake plugs that you can grow in old logs in the forest. Do you like pancakes? Learn how to tap the maple trees on your property for syrup. When you enjoy the fruits of your labor, it will hardly feel like labor.