In the forest garden, we have a range of fruit trees and bushes, with plants that are edible, or are otherwise useful - and are perennial (grow anew each year), or are readily self-seeding.

Why a forest garden? A brief history:

Early hunter-gatherer societies relied entirely on forests to meet all their needs from clothing, shelter, medicine to FOOD. The origins of food growing and horticulture as we know it today lie in these people encouraging the growth of favourite plants.

In many parts of the world, the conclusion of this food growing selective process has been the mono-culture of industrial farming. However in some societies and alternative approach to food production is alive. In areas of the tropics and sub-tropics, a large amount of food needs are met through canny forest management.

In the 1970s, here in the UK, Robert Hart attempted to apply these principles and methods of 'agroforestry' to create edible landscapes in this kind of 'temperate' environment.

Organiclea's forest garden is one of hundreds that has been created since. All attempt, in various ways, to imitate the natural environment of the forest, using mainly edible plants.

Honey bees also reside in the forest garden and produce hundreds of jars of fresh local honey.