Y’all, let’s talk about them forest gardens. Now, we all know trees are the big shots, but what about them bushes? They’re the unsung heroes, I reckon. Today, we’re gonna shine a light on what we figure are the 6 bushes that could be the real MVPs in your forest garden.
6. Blackberries: The sweet surprise
If you train ’em up a trellis, you can create a mighty fine blackberry wall that’ll add both beauty and function to your forest garden1. It’s like havin’ your cake and eatin’ it too.
Tough as nails
One of the best things about blackberries is they’re tough as old boots and productive to boot. They don’t need much fussin’ over when it comes to fertilizer. Just give ’em some compost and wood chips in the spring, water ’em regular, They’ll be as happy as a June bug on a porch swing.
Plantin’ and carin’ for your blackberries
When it comes to plantin’ and takin’ care of your blackberries, there’s a few things to keep in mind:
They love a sunny spot with well drained, fertile soil.
Plant ’em a few yards apart they need their space, just like your uncle Joe after Thanksgiving dinner.
Don’t forget to prune them old vines to encourage new growth and keep diseases at bay1.
Once they’re settled in, these bushes don’t need much TLC, making them a worry free addition to your forest garden1. So if you’re lookin’ to add a touch of sweetness and life to your forest garden, blackberries are the way to go. They’re easy going and generous with their fruit, they’ll be a right pleasure to have around, I guarantee it
5. Currants: A sweet addition toyour food forest garden
Y’all, let’s talk about these amazing berries. Currants are a versatile and downright delightful addition to any garden. With a whole mess of different types. Red, white, black, and even pink. There’s a currant for every taste bud out there.
Easy peasy to grow
These little fellas ain’t just easy to grow, they’re also a goldmine for your kitchen. From jams to refreshing treats for your homestead, they’ve got you covered. Heck, we even use the green leaves from our black currants in our cookin’.
Different strokes for different occasions
White currants are almost as sweete like a Georgia peach
Red currants are perfect for jams, jellies, or sprucing up your desserts
Black currants are tougher than a two dollar steak and the easiest to grow dor us here in Sweden
Growin’ your currants
Now, when it comes to plantin’ these babies, here’s what you need to know:
They love basking in the sun, but they’ll do just fine in partial shade too. Currants like their soil moist but well drained, they ain’t fond of wet feet. Black currants are pickier than a toddler at dinnertime. They prefer rich, fertile soil and a more protected spot. Red and white currants, on the other hand, ain’t so fussy and will grow in all sorts of soil.
Growin’ your currants
These plants are more flexible than a circus contortionist. You can grow ’em as hedges, standards, or even in containers. That makes ’em perfect for small gardens, not just your forest garden.
So, if you’re looking to add some sweetness and variety to your garden, currants are the way to go. They’ll be thriving like kudzu on a hot summer day before you know it.
4. Elderberry: A staple with a twist
Let’s talk about elderberry bushes. These beauties are a real treat for any garden, but you gotta know how to handle ’em right.
Pickin’ the right partners
Now, when it comes to plantin’ elderberries, there’s some debate about whether they need cross-pollination. While they can self-pollinate, havin’ multiple varieties nearby can improve fruit yield. It’s like havin’ a party for your plants. The more, the merrier.
Sun lovin’ beauties
Elderberries are happier than a clam in a bucket when they’re baskin’ in full sun. They’ll put up with a little afternoon shade, but they prefer to soak up them rays all day long.
Soil talk
These bushes ain’t too picky, but they do have some preferences: They like their soil fertile and well drained. A slightly acidic pH, around 5.5 to 6.5, is just fine. They can handle moist soils but don’t like bein’ waterlogged.
The right kind of elderberry
If you’re after the good stuff, the kind with all them medicinal properties. you’ll want to look for Sambucus Nigra varieties. That’s the real deal, folks.
Now, here’s where you gotta be careful. If you’re plannin’ on eatin’ these berries or usin’ ’em for home remedies, steer clear of any red berried varieties. Stick to the Sambucus Nigra, and you’ll be right as rain.
Teachin’ moment
If you’ve got little ones runnin’ around your garden, make sure you teach ’em not to eat any berries without askin’ first. These elderberries are a prime example of why we gotta be careful, some types can be toxic if you don’t know what you’re doin’.
So there you have it, folks. Elderberries can be a real gem in your garden, but you gotta treat ’em right and know what you’re dealin’ with and they’ll be doin’ just dandy.
3. Raspberries: A sweet must have for your garden
Y’all, let me tell you ’bout raspberries. These little beauties are a must have in any garden worth its salt. They’re bursting with flavor and can be enjoyed fresh or frozen all year round. And the best part? Growing ’em is easier than fallin’ off a log.
Where to plant your raspberries
Raspberries are like Goldilocks, they like things just right:
They love a sunny spot that’s protected from harsh winds, but they’ll do just fine in a partially shady place too
Feeding your raspberries
These berries are hungry little fellas. They love soil that’s richer than your Uncle Joe after winning the lottery. So, here’s what you do.
Add a heap of well-rotted organic matter like compost
This’ll feed your new plants and keep ’em happy as a pig in mud
Two types of raspberries
Now, listen up ’cause this is important. There are two types of raspberries:
Summer bearing: These produce fruit on last year’s growth
Fall bearing: These give you berries on this year’s new shoots
My advice? Plant a mix of both. That way, you’ll be swimming in raspberries for a longer stretch of time.
Why you need raspberries in your food forest garden
Adding raspberries to your forest garden is like adding gravy to biscuits, it just makes everything better. You’ll be enjoying the sweet taste of summer all year round.
So go on, plant some raspberries in your food forest garden. Before you know it, you’ll have more berries than you can shake a stick at.
2. Haskap, blue Honeysuckle: The cool cousin of Blueberries
Y’all ever heard of blue Honeysuckle? If not, let me tell you, it’s like the blueberry’s cooler cousin from out of town.
Blue honeysuckle, also known as honeyberry or haskap, is the fruit of a woody perennial bush that hails from Siberia in Russia and Japan. Folks have been growin’ these berries for centuries in those parts, and lately, they’ve been catchin’ on like wildfire at many places.
Why they’re easier than a sunday morning
One reason these berries are gettin’ so popular is that they’re easier to grow than a weed in a flower bed. Unlike their fussy cousins, blueberries, these plants ain’t picky about soil. They’ll grow just about anywhere, as long as the ground ain’t waterlogged.
Pickin’ the right variety
If you’re fixin’ to grow some, you’ll want to grab some of the newer varieties. They’ve got bigger, juicier berries that are perfect for eatin’ right off the bush. And let me tell you, these plants are tougher than a two dollar steak. They can handle cold that’d make a polar bear shiver, and they don’t need much fussin’ over.
For those of you into self sufficiency, these bushes are almost a must have. They’re a perfect addition to your forest garden, givin’ you a good harvest without breakin’ your back.
A taste all their own
Now, don’t go expectin’ these to taste like your regular Swedish blueberries. They’ve got a flavor all their own. Some folks say it’s like a mix of blueberry, raspberry, and black currant. What ya think..?
So there you have it, folks. Blue honeysuckle, the tough as nails, easy to grow berry that’s takin’ the world by storm. They’ll be thrivin’ in your garden faster than you can say “pass the pie”.
1. Sea Buckthorn: The miracle bush for your food forest garden
Y’all ready to discover a plant that’ll truly transform your food forest garden? Well, let me tell you ’bout sea buckthorn. This ain’t just any ol’ bush, it’s a game changer.
It’s a pioneer species, meaning it can help establish your forest garden even in the most challenging soils.
It’s a nitrogen fixer, which is like having a free fertilizer factory right in your garden.
You’ll get a quick return on your investment with its tasty leaves that make a fantastic tea with medicinal properties.
The golden berries
Now, let’s talk about them berries. They’re prettier than a peach sunset and packed with more goodness than your grandma’s secret recipe:
Loaded with omega-6 and vitamin C
Perfect natural remedy for coughs and colds
Kids love ’em fresh for their tart but slightly sweet taste
Wrapping it up
By adding these top 6 bushes to your forest garden including sea buckthorn, you’re creating a diverse and abundant ecosystem that celebrates the often overlooked but essential shrub layer.
So while them trees might hog the spotlight, let’s not forget the valuable contributions of these bushes to the richness and abundance of a forest garden.
We can’t wait to see what you create in your forest garden with this versatile and nutritious addition. Keep an eye out for more gardening tips and tricks, and happy planting.
Tidde o Fidde
