What it is
Martin Crawford's definitive guide to temperate forest gardening draws on 20+ years of managing the Agroforestry Research Trust's two-acre forest garden in Devon, England. The book profiles over 500 species, covering canopy trees, shrubs, ground cover, root crops, and climbers organized by forest layers. It includes design principles, establishment techniques, and species selection for different soil and climate conditions.
Why we picked this
Crawford's forest garden is one of the most documented and visited examples of temperate agroforestry in the world. This book distills decades of trial and error into practical guidance, with species profiles that include climate zones, soil preferences, yield data, and companion planting relationships. It is the reference standard for anyone designing a food forest in a temperate climate.
Key takeaways
- A mature forest garden can produce yields comparable to conventional horticulture while requiring a fraction of the labor, since perennial systems eliminate annual planting.
- The book profiles 500+ species organized by forest layer (canopy, shrub, herbaceous, ground cover, root, climber), enabling precise design for any space.
- Crawford demonstrates that forest gardens increase in productivity and biodiversity over time, the opposite of conventional farming which degrades soil and requires increasing inputs.