Bye-bye, grass, hello, forest | The Press

Replace the lawn with fruit trees, herbs, medicinal plants… More and more municipalities in Quebec are deciding to plant food forests in their parks and green spaces. In their yard or in front of their house, citizens do the same. Why and how to start this type of development? A little guide to finding your way around.

What is a food forest?

When we think of a forest, we inevitably imagine a large space where a multitude of trees grow. Sometimes, it is with a certain astonishment that citizens discover that the food forest inaugurated in a park in their neighborhood only includes a few specimens of fruit trees, says Noah Rouyère, of the Arbre-Évolution cooperative.

For example, at Parc Gilles-Latulippe, in Longueuil, where The Press joined his team during a planting day in September, the project had less than ten trees. “A food forest is an edible development that imitates the principles of a forest,” he describes. And like in a natural forest, there are different layers of plants. Yes, there are trees, of course, but also shrubs, herbaceous plants, climbing plants, lists Noah Rouyère.

“We are trying to create an ecosystem,” explains the trainer and ecological designer Wen Rolland, to whom we owe the term “food forest” to designate this type of development which elsewhere is described as a food forest or a forest-garden. “We are creating something that is nourishing for us humans, but also for birds and insects. We also want to nourish the soil. […] It’s much more than just a place where we come to put plants,” he continues in a telephone interview.

“The food forest is meant to be very diverse,” emphasizes Noah Rouyère, of the Arbre-Évolution cooperative. In this park located a stone’s throw from the Longueuil–Université de Sherbrooke metro station, plum trees, cherry trees, raspberry trees will rub shoulders with strawberry plants, lavender, sea buckthorn and many others. Why focus on diversity? “It’s important for the resilience of the developments,” he replies. Greater diversity makes the food forest less susceptible to disease.

Plants with multiple functions

Before playing in the dirt, it is better to think carefully about the layout you want to create, insists Wen Rolland, who has been giving training on the subject for 13 years. “We plant something for 30, 40, 50 years,” he recalls.

This planning begins with the choice of plants. These can be divided into two broad categories, which sometimes overlap: edible plants and useful plants.

Medicinal plants and plants that attract pollinating insects also fall into the category of useful plants. “We like plants that have multiple functions,” underlines Wen Rolland, giving the example of comfrey, a medicinal plant excellent as mulch.

When planning, you must also take the time to check the type of soil, drainage and sunlight in order to choose the trees and plants best suited to your land. The best times of year to plant are in fall and spring.

Advantages…

Our two specialists agree: the advantages of the food forest are numerous. First, on an environmental level, since it contributes to biodiversity. “Your food forest becomes a hotel for insects and birds,” illustrates Noah Rouyère. Not to mention that it adds shaded areas that can combat heat islands and that it filters the air.

And then, even if you sometimes have to wait a few years before a fruit tree or shrub begins to produce, let’s admit that enjoying a fruit freshly picked from your yard is a delicious advantage.

“We can make a lot of discoveries and learning,” Wen Rolland also argues. I like to grow small, slightly odd fruits like aronia. People don’t find it very good just like that, but it’s super interesting when you make jams with it. »

…and mistakes to avoid

A food forest also requires less maintenance than normal horticultural development. But be careful: less does not mean none. “It’s often a mistake people make. They think it’s magic,” says Wen Rolland.

“I have a mantra. I always say that for the first three years, you have to take care of it like a vegetable garden,” he continues. This includes weeding, pruning trees and shrubs and sometimes moving certain plants.

For his part, Noah Rouyère suggests adding mulch called fragmented rameal wood each year, which “mimics the leaves and humus found on forest floors”.

And finally, no waste: we must not forget to reap the fruits of the precious work of nature (and humans).

Varieties to plant

strawberries tree

A favorite little fruit of Quebecers, the strawberry not only tastes good, but its plant also produces fruit from its first year of planting. “Strawberry plants are spreading and will occupy space quickly,” raises Noah Rouyère, of the Arbre-Évolution cooperative.

Lavender

In addition to giving off a soothing scent, lavender is a plant loved by pollinators. It can be cooked or used in the manufacture of body products.

Melissa

A plant from the same family as mint, lemon balm tolerates shade. “We can put some around the trees. Even when they grow up, she will love her environment,” says Noah Rouyère, who also highlights its relaxing virtues.

Cassis

“Blackcurrant is fantastic,” assures Noah Rouyère. It’s not very big, it tolerates shade, it’s delicious. » In addition, you can easily take cuttings from this shrub, which allows you to easily expand your food forest.

Sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is an example of a species that fixes nitrogen in the soil. Thanks to this shrub, the soil is more nutritious for the other plants around it.