In Forest Gardening by Robert A de J Hart, the vegan author details his garden – a miniature forest filled with an abundance of things to eat. This is low maintenance gardening once established with trees, bushes and perennial plants which provide both shelter and food. Included are recommended plants for different regions of the world – this book is a huge resource of information and inspiration.
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It’s certainly inspired us over the years. We live among the trees and love to eat the garden!
Below are more pictures and recipes from the food forest.
Courgettes and lettuce growing all wild and mixed up together:
Daisies are edible, pictured on top of a wild garlic pesto.
We transplanted some wild garlic from the woods to a shady spot under trees in the garden and it’s thriving and spreading further every year.
A rabbit relaxes on the grass…
We grow quite a few annuals too…
Apple and bramble (blackberry) juice from trees and bushes:
Fruit bushes there are aplenty. White chocolate mousse above, topped with redcurrants and raspberries. Chocolate cheesecake below with mint and currants.
Mint is a wonderful herb to spread and grow wild. Minted noodle soup is a simple summer favourite:
Homemade ketchup by the barbecue:
Blend up:
3 tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 small onion also roughly chopped
1 clove of garlic
2 teaspoons of sugar
2 heaped tablespoons of tomato puree
3 tablespoons of vinegar (apple cider best)
a little salt to taste
herbs make a very nice addition – to the pictured sauce we added a bunch of fresh dill. This variety grows huge.
Sage, lovage, thyme and oregano are all great perennials too, and nice and hardy for Scotland!
Don’t miss our latest post over on Frugal Living in the UK:
A courgette flower in the forest garden:
Set in a castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR features the Scottish witchcraft accusations and a love story.
FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the 18th century kidnapped children of Aberdeen.
Paperbacks and kindle: