lyis@liberit.ca 
https://lyis.ca 
226-537-0147
@aizvo 
LyisForestry “The vision of the New Eden is food forest communities where all of our needs can be met on site.” – Age of Peace.
Ideally if one is to grow all their own food, fuel and clothing in Grey-Bruce one needs at least 1.2 hectares (3 acres) per person. Ideally have enough land for a whole community averaging 60 people. To produce enough food to feed a 75kg human for a year need to at least cover an area of 0.25 hectare with fruit production, that would be for example either 80 mature oak trees or 400 hazelnut shrubs. The permaculture vision is to grow in a series of concentric circles or rectangles based on adult height of the plants. For example near the community centre you have a meadow, then around it a vegetable garden, then herbacious perennials (up to 2m high), then berries, dwarf fruit and hazelnut shrubs (2-5m high), then a short rotation coppice of willow and alder ( 5-10m high), then standard fruit trees, pear, persimmon, mulberry (10-20m high), then a long rotation coppice of lumber trees such as ironwood, maple, beech (25-30m high), then the staple crops of acorns, walnuts, pecans (30-50m high), then to keep out predators and large herbivores the forest descends in height using various thorny border plants mixed with staples, such as thorny honey locust (25m high), korean pine nut (20m high), osage orange (15m high), seabuckthorn/hawthorn (5-7m high), raspberries (1-2m high).
While the larger staples are growing which start to yield after 10-20 years, can interplant with annuals, herbacious perennials and shrubs which will start to yield within 1-7 years.
The first step to planting a permaculture food forest is understanding your soil type. In Canada the most common type of soil is acidic sandy loam but in Grey-Bruce is alkaline heavy loam, usually either clay loam or silt loam. If your soil is black then it is loam loam, if it is brown then it is either sandy loam or heavy loam.
If your soil is yellow or white due to sand, then it is sandy soil. Once your sandy soil has enough organic matter that it turns brown, then it graduates to being sandy loam. Once it turns black then it becomes loam.
If your soil is red or grey and very hard to dig, then it is likely heavy clay. You can verify by taking a handful while it is wet and if you can make pottery out of it, then it is definitely heavy clay. If your soil has enough organic matter that it is brown and friable, meaning that it has a tendency to fall apart instead of stick together, then it is heavy loam. If it has turned black from the organic matter and drains well then it has graduated to loam.
Relative to humans plants are somewhat upside down. Their arms and brains are actually in their root system, and they have all the same types of neuron receptors. With their forest communication and nutrient transport system happening through the mycorhizal network. So when transplanting plants, do attempt to maintain as much of the root system and soil as feasible. The stem is their torso, and their branches are their legs, with their gentials being their flowers and fruit.
Keep your seedlings in bright, lightly shaded conditions and water them well until planting—ideally within a few days of pickup.
Select a site with suitable light: full sun (8–12 h) or partial shade (4–8 h). Space each plant at least its mature height apart, never closer than 30 cm; hazelnuts need 4 m, most trees 5 m.
If you intend to remove existing shrubs or trees later, plant on their south, east, or west side. These nurse plants reduce wind, create dappled shade, hold moisture, and keep soil cooler while your seedlings establish.
Dig a hole just wider than the pot and loosen the surrounding soil 30–40 cm deep and 50 cm wide. If soil is shallow, build a small berm instead. Clear a 15–30 cm ring of vegetation and lay it down as mulch.
Place the fabric pot in the hole with its rim level to the soil surface. Back‑fill firmly with the excavated soil. If the pot sits above grade, berm topsoil up to it.
Water thoroughly to settle air pockets. Add more soil if it subsides, then finish with 5–10 cm of mulch or cardboard, keeping mulch 5 cm away from the stem.
Avoid strong fertilizers or fresh manure during the first year. If desired, apply hydroponic‑strength feeds: 1 g balanced NPK in 4 L water (April–July) or 1 g PK in 4 L (Aug–Sept). Drench the root zone only. Slow‑release granules may be broadcast in spring to encourage root foraging. When planting, incorporate no more than 5
Where rabbits or deer browse, surround the plant with mesh fixed to a stake until stems toughen. For insect balance, sow wildflowers nearby and leave stems standing over winter—beneficial insects overwinter above ground while many pests pupate below.
Potting can be temporary or permanent. We use the rule e,hφ litres as the minimum volume for a full‑grown plant, and 2e,hφ litres as the generous maximum (where $h$ is mature height in metres). Thus a 4 m hazelnut needs 25–50 L; a 2 m dwarf 8 L; a 3 m dwarf 16 L.
Avoid smooth round plastic or ceramic pots that cause root circling; choose fabric air‑pruning bags or square/star‑profile fabric pots. For custom air‑prune pots, email [lyis@liberit.ca](mailto:lyis@liberit.ca).
More container info: https://lyis.ca/glok/?species=Containers Pot size calculator: https://lyis.ca/hpotglut/
The main thing is to give your plants love. Walk about your food forest at least once a week or so, and let your mind be stilled by the beauty and the splendor of God’s creation. Then notice any little voice of the plants, animals, or holy spirit calling out to you, where something may need some adjustment. Perhaps someone needs more water, or phosphorous, or someone needs to be bermed as they are inundated. Perhaps they are getting too much shade, or not enough, perhaps they need protection from deer. Perhaps they just need some loving radiance and a gentle stroking of their leaves. Let the plants speak to you, they know what they need. Even when you are away from your forest, once you’ve established a relationship with your plants, they may call out to you in your mind, for the loving hand of the gardener to come to their aid, go to them, be an actor of the love of God in their life.
Recommended reading: “Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm” by Stephen Harrod Buhner
(Zones 4-9) Hazelnut trees can grow up to 3-5 meters tall, live for 30-40 years, after which they can be coppiced and they’ll regrow as new. They begin producing nuts within 3-6 years. They can tolerate partial shade.
Hardy to zones 3-9, Groundnut is a perennial vine reaching a mature height of 3-4 meters. It takes about 2-3 years to produce tubers that are edible and taste like potatoes. It prefers slightly acidic soil (pH 6.1-6.5) and tolerates partial shade.
(Zones 4-9) Honey locust trees can grow up to 20-30 meters tall, live for 30-70 years, and take 10-12 years to begin producing seed pods. They are adaptable to various sun exposures and soil conditions, and are generally low-maintenance. Prune to remove any unwanted thorns or lower branches, and maintain an open canopy.
Goji berries are hardy in USDA zones 3-10, making them quite adaptable to various climates. These shrubs can grow up to 2-3 meters in height and produce fruit in 2-3 years. Prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade, can do well in variety of soil types, prefer well drained slightly alkaline soil. The berries are nutritious and can be eaten fresh but are best dried, and used in cooking or for teas.
The Heartnut is a large tree that can reach up to 20 meters in height. It is hardy to zone 5 and prefers full sun exposure. Plant heartnut trees about 9-12 meters apart to allow for their broad canopy. The trees will start bearing nuts after about 6-10 years.
Fast growing hardy to zone 2, loves water, great for coppicing within 2-3 years. Mature height is 3-6 meters, prefers full sun, tolerates partial shade. Hyperaccumulators that clean soil of toxins. Bark can be chewed or made into tea for pain relief similar to aspirin.
(Zones 2-7) These shrubs can grow up to 3-5 meters tall, live for 20-50 years, and start producing pea-like pods within 2-3 years. They can tolerate partial shade.
(Zones 3-7) These trees can grow up to 25 meters tall, live for over 200 years, and take 10-12 years to begin producing nuts. They prefer full sun.
Yellow plum trees are suitable for hardiness zones 5-9, depending on the specific variety. They require well-draining soil and a sunny location. These trees can grow up to 5-7 meters tall and live for 20-30 years. They typically begin producing fruit within 3-6 years after planting. Space trees 4.5-6 meters apart to accommodate their growth. Water young trees regularly, adjust as needed in response to rainfall. Fertilize regularly and supplement with additional nutrients if soil tests indicate deficiencies. Monitor for pests and diseases, such as plum curculio and brown rot, and treat accordingly to maintain tree health.
Not to be confused with horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), which are not edible but can be used for laundring white clothing.
Sweet Chestnuts used to grow all over the area before the chestnut blight wiped most of them out. Though there are resistant varieties such as the Chinese Chestnut. These are the ones. Their parents are alive and well and continuing to produce in Ontario.
Hardy in zones 4-8, they grow up to 25m high, and can grow in full sun or partial shade on sandy, loamy and heavy soils,they prefer well drained soils, such as those on a slope or a hill. Fertilizing with calcium such as calcium nitrate reduces fungal issues such as blight.
They produce fruit within the first 5-10 years and are a delicious autumn/winter treat, they can be either roasted, steamed or boiled to get rid of the astringency.
A deciduous tree that thrives in Zones 4-9. It can reach heights of 8-15 meters and has a lifespan of 50-100 years. Once mature, usually within 5-10 years, the tree produces unique, grapefruit-sized green fruit that resembles oranges. Osage orange trees prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female trees, so cross-pollination is required for fruit development. With their hardy nature and striking appearance, Maclura pomifera trees add a distinctive touch to landscapes while providing valuable wildlife habitat and erosion control benefits.
Andrii Logan Zvorygin
Can find more food forest information on our website https://lyis.ca lyis@liberit.ca 226-537-0147 @aizvo LyisForestry