At some point , annual veggies lead over the popularity competition . We ’re so used to reckon neat words of carrots , cucumber , bean , and tomato that we forget there are other more beneficial ways for the home gardener to develop food for thought . Let me introduce the superimposed garden to you !
I ’m in the thick of planning my next garden at my raw house , and I ’m suppose large picture . The thousand was neglected and minimum , so I ’m starting with a pretty well - blank canvas .
I ’ll be design afood forest , which take some careful planning and a few years of solitaire . I have an urban garden and a small yard , but even those with a terrace garden can hire these more sustainable , regenerative practices .
You can also include medicinal or herbal plants as well as edible ones.
Christina Chung ’s book , The Layered Edible Garden , is based on a conception exchangeable to solid food forest . Rooted in permaculture , it ’s all about maximizing your blank space with a layered garden establish on eatable perennials .
These practices are rooted in the same values and energy , so I ’m shudder to portion out Christina ’s approach to the eatable garden with you .
Quotes reprinted with permission from The Layered Edible Garden by Christina Chung © 2024 . Published by Cool Springs Press .
What is a Layered Garden?
There are many kinds of layered garden . They are often well - planned and optimise space by combining plants with unlike heights .
Christina ’s layered gardening practice follow a more raw system that ’s less intensive on time , get-up-and-go , and resource . It seek to occupy in all the empty spaces in the garden thatweedsmight otherwise pass .
“ Traditional horticulture often means fight against nature consider over the space and turning it back into the thick institute , superimposed space it would be without human interposition , ” says Christina .
But a superimposed garden is also curated . This intend itstill give rise plenty of food similar to traditional vegetable gardens . However , it encourage you to think beyond the traditional veggies and focus more onedible perennials .
It follows permaculture practice and sounds very like to my belovedfood timber drill . But Christina ’s approach is “ more flexible ” and perhaps more focused on gardens with small spaces .
Why Layered Gardens Are the Way to Go
One of the liberal draw of a layered garden is that itoptimizes your space . Many gardeners ( myself included ) are always look for more gardening space . But many of us do n’t consider the vertical blank and the gaps . Just mean how much you could plant under a tree diagram or shrub !
“ Filling in those miss layers make so much more interest and beauty , and each one offers a luck to add something edible to the mix , ” says Christina . “ Each tot bed can help you get more out of your existing garden space . ”
superimposed horticulture is alsogreat for your local wildlife . embed a across-the-board reach of plants and less vulgar mintage may pull in more pollinators andbeneficial bugs . They even act as as bonusnatural plague control .
One of the most straightaway benefits you ’ll notice ishow much more low - sustainment layered gardening is . A wide garden means less weeding , which is also great for dirt health as it minimize dirt disturbance .
These garden also rely on perennials more , requiring less seeded player starting and babying tender untested annuals . You will even water less as you swear on perennial more .
Who Should Plant a Layered Garden?
I extremely recommend layered gardens forthose in an urban setting , as they ’re great for those with limited infinite . It ’s just one of the proficient ways to grow more nutrient in a minor space .
But absolutely anyone and any space can practice layered gardening .
It ’s great for solid food gardener and cooks but will also knead for those who want a beautiful space . you could also have a mostornamental layered garden with food options . Or use this method acting to create a more lush space and downplay empty space .
“ This is also a horticulture manner if you want to be creative and progress a garden place that does n’t await like everyone else ’s in your neighbourhood , ” says Christina . “ Landscapes often take on a depressing sameness , with each garden featuring the same ten plant that are stingily usable at every baby’s room and bounteous - box store . ”
Rather than bear distinct rules and practices , layered horticulture is more of an overall approach . This means that anyone can benefit and spring up from suffer a layered garden .
How to Start a Layered Garden
The first mindset chemise of a superimposed garden isfocusing more on perennials . These will of course take in the space with larger Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrub and , as note , demand significantly less maintenance and resource .
Since yearly only develop in one season , they postulate significantly more work . “ plunk for all of that quick growth means annuals need more resources , ” says Christina . “ That means more fertilizer , more water , and richer soil to originate in . ”
Perennials also provideyear - unit of ammunition stake , have longer harvest season , and support the local ecosystem . Yes , perennials will take several geezerhood to show themselves and produce food . But down the line , it ’s so little study .
When bulge your superimposed garden , set off small and work your manner up . Do n’t seek to pass the whole garden in one season . cull one areaand commence with that .
Before you rive our existing garden , project out your layer and consider how you desire to use your distance . Make certain it ’s still enjoyable and that you ’re growing what you ’re most interested in .
Start with the tallest stratum , as this will touch the others . For representative , a large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree could produce more shade , and you must insure all flora match your garden ’s shape .
The “Layers” of a Layered Garden
It ’s fourth dimension we begin planning out our layers ! I ’ll give you a short breakdown of all the unlike layers , but check out Christina ’s book for an in - astuteness flavour at the layers and some suggestion on what to grow .
Canopy Tree Layer
Your tallest level begins with the tallest Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . There ’s a good hazard you already have large trees on your dimension or your metropolis avenue . In most cases , you stick with what you have .
“ These are the large trees , reaching over 40 fundament ( 12 MB ) tall , making them the layer that regorge the most shade and has the greatest impact on the residual of your garden space , ” say Christina .
If you do n’t have any large trees or arestarting a garden completely from scratch , the canopy tree layer is one of the biggest determination in starting your layered garden .
Here are a few examples of canopy trees from Christina :
Subcanopy Layer
Your subcanopy stratum consist of small trees . Most vulgar yield trees fall under this family . They take clip to get established and bear fruit , but once they do , they cater mickle of intellectual nourishment and yr - round knockout .
Christina suggests putting these trees on the edge of your property . “ Use subcanopy trees where you need beneficial shade and to gain extra elevation and screening from foliage , where you want a more compact software than a with child canopy tree , ” she says .
Here are a few examples from Christina of subcanopy trees
Shrub Layer
The shrub layer is one of the most prolific and various layers . Many shrubs can be edible , beautiful , and also work as secrecy screen .
Many of us already have shrubs in our backyards . And we love them because they ’re so low maintenance and sluttish to work with .
Here are a sample of shrubs from Christina :
Herbaceous Perennial Layer
Your herbaceous perennial layer consists of a lot ofperennial vegetablesandherbs .
“ These plant are smaller than shrub , so you’re able to pack many of them in even the modest garden , ” says Christina . “ There are also many species and varieties to choose from , with mess of edible options . ”
Here is a handful of options for this bed :
Climber Layer
One of the secure ways to practice upright space is by including some climber in your garden .
“ Every building on your place has empty wall that could be cover with beautiful and delicious climbers , ” enunciate Christina . you could also create spaces just for your climbers , such as trellises , pergolas , and logic gate . There are many ways to deck and utilize a climber .
Here is a sample distribution of some climbers :
Annual Layer
Yes , there is still room for your traditional vegetable garden . After all , how else will you delight in the taste sensation of afreshly get Lycopersicon esculentum ?
“ yearly crop can also be a great option to occupy empty distance in time , ” enjoin Christina . “ Most of your herbaceous layer will be dormant in the winter , leaving a bare and inedible garden . ”
Ground Cover Layer
The low-down level of the garden should n’t be discounted either . Most think of a lawn , but there are more options .
Christina state , “ Small , low - growing , carpeting plantsplay a key function in protect the soil from wearing away and summer heatwhile also eliminate property for weed seeds to germinate . ”
Here are some footing cover options :
The Rhizosphere Layer
Another layer ? Yes ! There is also plenty die on below the surface . There are many edible and medicative roots out there . The top of the industrial plant may also contribute to a different stratum .
It should be take down that you do involve to raise up the soil to plant these veggies . “ Choose locations that you could get at easily , such as the circumference of bottom or the back of a border , ” says Christina .
Here are some examples of edible solution :
And that cover all the bed ! For more on this very cool practice of making an eatable layered garden , be certain tocheck out Christina ’s record book .
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