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forest garden

Shady creek food forest

Scott Stiller

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Location: North Carolina zone 7

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posted 11 years ago

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Hello all. I have an old creek deep in the woods of NC zone 7. There are ferns all over the place back there and it got me thinking; what edibles could I grow along with those ferns? I would think their presence would signify a certain soil type that plants I wanted there would like as well.

Regards, Scott

David Good

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Location: South Alabama

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posted 11 years ago

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I can't think of any deep shade edibles at the moment, but native ginseng seems to like the same areas as ferns. You might also try elderberries if you get any sunny edges.

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Florian Kreisky

Posts: 57

Location: Austria, Central Europe, USDA-Zone 6b

posted 11 years ago

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I live in zone 6b and so far the only edible plant that works good in shady areas for me is wild garlic (Allium ursinum)

What works great though are all kind of mushrooms

Scott Stiller

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Location: North Carolina zone 7

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posted 11 years ago

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Thanks to both of you for the replies. I think the mushroom idea is excellent! I visited Fungi Perfecti and started researching what I wanted to grow.

Regards, Scott

Roberto pokachinni

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Location: Fraser River Headwaters, Zone3, Lat: 53N, Altitude 2750', Boreal/Temperate Rainforest-transition

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posted 11 years ago

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hostas like shade, and those huge japanese rhubarbs with the edible stalks, they like it too, as do some currents.

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Joseph Carlson

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posted 11 years ago

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In our shade, we grow ramps (wood leak), mayapple, ferns (of course), and stinging nettle (don't let it take over). We sometimes find Ghost Pipe, mushrooms, and arrowhead. Perhaps elderberries would work. You might be able to grow yacon too. We live in Michigan, so not all plants will be suited to your area.

John Suavecito

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posted 11 years ago

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Lots of green leafies can grow well in the shade. They will grow more leaves in the shade and bolt less frequently. They won't produce much fruit, but that's not what your'e trying to do.
John S
PDX OR

Check out Redhawk's soil series: https://permies.com/wiki/redhawk-soil

Scott Stiller

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Location: North Carolina zone 7

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More great advice I've come to expect from you guys! Ive been asking lots of questions since I've bought my homestead one month ago. As I learn more I'll be answering more questions too. Thanks again!

Regards, Scott

Kelby Taylor

Posts: 47

Location: SE Pennsylvania, USA

posted 11 years ago

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Pawpaws and Wintergreen should be fine there, they will take shade and fruit. You might be able to do Cranberry Viburnum, they prefer more sun, but it's worth a try.

I would second ginseng if you can find seeds, a pretty penny to be made if you get a good patch growing.

Scott Stiller

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Location: North Carolina zone 7

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I certainly have been wanting to plant pawpaws but haven't thought about them in this shady area. Thanks for the tip Kelby!

Regards, Scott

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