Forest Heights Food Forestry

 

We had amazing weather and amazing people who worked tirelessly all day. Roughly 40 volunteers showed up with boots and shovels. We planted 10 berry bushes, 3 fruit trees and a baby maple. Big thanks to Crystal Bradford of Wildlife Gardening for their generous contribution of plants and Meadow Acres Garden Center, whose donations pushed us from 3 guilds to 6 guilds! Thank you fantastic friends who came and helped. I am humbled, also grateful that you believe in Food Forestry and the idea of public, locally grown organic food.

 

No Dig Gardening, otherwise known as Lasagna Gardening is a fantastic technique whereby we do not till the soil. Tilling damages the current soil structure, insect habitat and beneficial microbes that contribute to the health of the soil. This technique provides food and bedding for worms which will work their way up through the layers turning the soil for you. Voila! It’s that simple.

 

Step 1. Lay cardboard or newspaper (nothing with a shiny finish) to suppress grass and weeds.

Wet the cardboard, ensuring it is thoroughly soaked.

Step 2. Place compost on soaked cardboard.

Step 3. Place a layer of straw over compost and soak.

Step 4. Place layer of top soil over straw.

Step 5. Place a layer of straw over top soil.

Step 6. Place a layer of mulch over straw and soak thoroughly

Step 7. Happy Planting!

 

Normally in lasagna gardening we would use some leaf material and grass clippings in the layering. We did not have access to those materials at the time, so we used what we had.

 

I have practiced No Till Gardening for approx the last 7 years and have found it to be such a fantastic time saver. I barely have to water my plants unless we have long periods without rain. This technique keeps the soil moist and suppresses weeds. The last layer of mulch is optional. I tend to add it for aesthetics and to appease my neighbors who don’t want to look at a front yard covered with straw.

 

 

FOREST HEIGHTS AND VICTORIA PARK ON BOARD
Interest in food forests is growing in Kitchener

by Helen Hall
Kitchener Citizen
May 14, 2015

Read the full article here:

http://www.kitchenercitizen.com/foodforestsmay2015.html