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| photo via http://beaconfoodforest.weebly.com/ |
It’s not beady or leathery, but I’m very inspired by Seattle’s new “Edible Forest”. As their website describes:
“A Food Forest is a gardening technique or land management system that mimics a woodland ecosystem but substitutes in edible trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals. Fruit and nut trees are the upper level, while below are berry shrubs, edible perennials and annuals. Companions or beneficial plants are included to attract insects for natural pest management while some plants are soil amenders providing nitrogen and mulch. Together they create relationships to form a forest garden ecosystem able to produce high yields of food with less maintenance.”
Their goal is “to design, plant and grow an edible urban forest garden that inspires our community to gather together, grow our own food and rehabilitate our local ecosystem.” What an exciting way to integrate ideas of permaculture, sustainability, urban landscape and community!
From what I have read elsewhere food will be harvested on the honor system, and eventually, garden plots will be available for local community members to lease at extremely affordable rates. There’s a great article here from NPR, and of course you can check out their blog and facebookpage.