Food Forest Questions
Q: As a non-profit, are you folks a licensed to install a perennial food forest?
A: Yes, we’re LCB licensed, bonded and insured in Oregon #100328
Q: I have a small yard. Can you still design me a food forest?
A: Absolutely! We’re glad to establish a food forest as small as 1-2 guilds taking up as little as 50 sq ft.
Q: How much will I need to water my food forest?
A: We plant our food forests while the ground is still moist and receiving rain. Plants are dormant when they go in the ground and through a bit of initial management will develop a strong root system. A deep woodchip mulch will ensure moisture remains in the soil throughout the dry PNW summer. Plants will be planted with consideration for our climate. Occasional deep watering during the first year may be necessary, but going forward, the planting should be self sustaining.
Q: How much maintenance will my food forest require?
A: Generally speaking, a food forest requires less and less maintenance as it matures. You can expect you pick up (and compost or feed to chickens) any fallen fruit, but the woodchip mulch, herbaceous, and groundcover layers will keep weeds at bay. Some pruning may be necessary to ensure ease of access to fruit.
Q: Can Portland Food Forest Initiative maintain my food forest?
A: Absolutely! We are skilled with fruit tree pruning and maintenance.
Q: Can I still grow annual veggies like tomatoes, peppers, carrots, kale, lettuce, peas, etc?
A: Absolutely! The orientation of the food forest allows access to sun from the south for veggie crops. These will all thrive in woodchip-mulched soil.
Have more questions? Feel free to call or write!