Permagardens in the Forest Garden:

One of the main goals of the Forest Garden Approach is for participants to have something to eat, sell, or trade each month of the year. A well-planned and maintained permagarden can make year-round food security possible for farmers and their families. 

In a permagarden, farmers can apply a variety of permaculture components such asa crop rotation cycle, composting, raised or sunken beds, companion planting, earthworks or integrated pest management (IPM). Additionally, careful permagarden planning helps farmers access the market year-round by enabling the growth of both primary and counter-season vegetables throughout the year. 

Permagardening is an integral element of the Forest Garden Approach and is taught to participants in the first year of the Forest Garden Training Program. Because they quickly provide a substantial source of food and income for farmers, this is particularly helpful in the first few years of establishment, when fruit trees are maturing and not yet producing fruits. 

Read more about how to establish a permagarden in Chapter 13 of the Technical Manual.