Tips for a new forest garden

Hi!

Next spring I will start to convert a new plot into a small experimental forest garden. At the moment the area is planted with a green manure (sunflower, perennial rye, buckwheat, phacelia).
I also have cow manure available from September (a sufficient amount to eventually cover all the area).

I know the basic principales of forest gardening, but have no direct practicle experience about It.

Which tips would you give to a complete newby, based on your experience?

Thank you!

Look up resources on syntropic agrofestry. There are principles and patterns that you can adopt to maximise the productivity of a space and the most important one that I've found is the north-south alignment of taller perennials like trees. As long as your ground-level plantings get some direct sunlight in the middle of the day, you can have close spacing and make use of all three dimensions.

PermaDynamics in Northland

Transformation of a playing field in Kenya

Syntropic agroforestry concepts and links

My suggestion would be to take a tour of some local farms and gardens, especially  those created by people who are into permaculture. Try out some new types of fruit and veggies, get seeds or cuttings, ask questions and take notes. It's amazing how you can learn in just  a few hours touring a local farm. Good luck!

I like the idea of a small experimental forest garden.

Plant plants that you like to eat.

We read on the forum about all kinds of new plants though these often turn out to be disappointing.

Best wishes for the forest garden.

Look at mature specimens of the larger shrubs and trees you are thinking of planting - then think 'four dimensionaly' - how big will the tree get in 5 years? 20 years? make sure you leave space (or have a plan for thinning/coppicing) for future growth. You can make good use of the space in the meantime with shorter lived annuals and self seeders.

I've had good luck with elder berry growing and producing in almost complete shade (two story house shading it from the south, mature redbud blocking the west and a grove of paper mulberries  to the north). Definitely an easy one to stick in shady spots next to the trees that will grow big.

Thank you everyone for your interesting contributions.

At the moment the piece of land I'm considering for this project is occupied by a green manure, which is approaching its end while autumn comes. The are still many sunflowers standing and in full bloom from which a hope to collect lots of seeds next month, while the ground is almost completely covered by smaller died/dying plants, like phacelia and buckwheat.

The fact that soil is well covered for the winter should be a nice thing, am I wright? I think I should avoid working the ground and leave it as it is until spring.

In the green manure mixtures there was also some perennial rye, which will come out again next spring and go to seed if I will not work the soil, so I'm wondering if the presence of this plant will be more a good thing for ground structure and health or a nuisance for me trying to establish the new forest garden and plant trees and shrubs

Thank you, have a nice day!