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Despite the gardener's best intentions, Nature will improvise. Michael P. Garafalo, gardendigest.com
Forest Gardening for a Beautiful and Natural Landscape
Forest gardening is the process of creating a space in your yard that will mimic the look of natural forest. These types of gardens are generally created in a vertical layer of plantings that will result in a look that is densely beautiful and very natural. Forest gardening can be done in colder climates using deciduous trees and plants that thrive in a particular area, or in tropical climates by using palm trees as the canopy a brightly colored tropical flowers throughout.
To Create a Forest Garden, Think Vertical
The look of a forest garden can be achieved easily in your yard by using vertical space efficiently. These types of gardens consist of many layers of varying height. They generally begin with a tall canopy of large trees, and some shorter, denser trees underneath. The layers are followed by a collection of shrubs, taller plants and finally ground covers that make up a rich green carpet on the forest floor. These forest gardens are usually quite filled with plants of all shapes and sizes, giving an appearance of dense growth and natural beauty.
The Self Sufficiency of a Forest Garden
Just as the natural forest gardens in the wild are self sufficient, you can create the look in your own landscape with little or no maintenance required. Thick mulch will usually cover the floor to protect the plants and offer nutrients into the soil. You can create this function in your own forest garden by adding mulch materials or using plants that will eventually become mulch. Nitrogen-fixing plants will also do their part to offer nutrients into the soil for other plants to thrive.
Forest gardens are an evolution of the survival of the fittest, meaning that the plants that are best adapted to the environment and conditions will survive. Because of this evolutionary process, the types of plants in a forest garden are often changing. You may find that the plants you begin with originally will end up dying off and you will find other, more adaptable plants to take their place. This constant change will keep your forest garden interesting and diverse forever. Perennial plantings will reseed, offering additional plants without the need for human intervention. Once your forest garden is in place, you will be able to sit back and enjoy the beauty of your forest landscape with very little required maintenance.
Buried treasures
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Be sure to also allow room to make paths in between each row of vegetables, so that you may easily reach them for weeding, etc. The principles of organic gardening focus on using products that will not be harmful to any of these creatures or the planet itself. The type of gardening you do and your personal preference will determine what kind of gardening gloves you need. |
