Zone 7b Food Forest 2 Year Update - North Carolina
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2021
- #zone7bfoodforest #ncfoodforest #temperatefoodforest #subtropicalfoodforest
This video was created about 2 years into the start of my food forest. I am located in central North Carolina, which is temperate and somewhat subtropical. Growing a food forest in this region comes with its own complications and it looks much different than growing one in a tropical climate. I have experimented with a few plants that have failed and some that have done really well. I will try to keep updating as the food forest changes. I tried to name as many varieties as possible in this video. If you have any suggestions, please add it to the comments. 
Хобби
Great to see someone else growing this way in zone 7, lot of info out there in zone 4-5 but not as much for 7. Thanks for making videos
I am happy to make them. Hoping to do more updates in the future!
Check out some of the UK forest gardens as much of UK is equivalent to 7a or 7b.
ruclips.net/p/PLhmqg74cpGJBJowOUq6Xnvs8v2j6hcKpr
I live in NC too! This seems like the solution to what I've wanted to do to get the yard more naturalized and less grass. I hate mowing grass
I hate mowing too. Getting food is much better! I will post an update video soon.
growing a garden like this is 10x more work than just mowing a lawn. You have to do it cause you love plants, not because its less work than mowing.
I hate mowing, but love the plants...and fresh food! But it can be a bit of work, it's just fun work.
Very nice. For the perimeter weeds, one of the best things I can recommend looking into is goats. A lot of places actually have companies who will bring goats out to "mow" through the overgrown areas. They do all the work so you don't have to know anything about raising goats. I'm not sure if they eat wysteria, but it'd be worth looking into.
For ground cover, Jim Kovaleski has shown the benefits of simply dumping on grass clippings. The key to any mulch is making it thick enough that the sun can't hit the soil and encourage seed germination. In your area, wood chips are so heavy that they don't break down quickly, feeding the soil biome... and end up serving as a growing medium for the weeds.
Another idea that I'm particularly fond of is using native plants as the ground cover. Much like you have with the clover, a plant called Green-and-Gold is native to NC and is a real delight to work with. It's a bigger plant than the clover, but also more durable and better able to shade out any weeds that might think of growing. Plus, it provides a wonderful source of food for the native wildlife, making them less likely to go after your veggies. There are a few native plants that make good ground covers, like the Carex genus. Just gotta place them where they can do their magic.
All really good recommendations. I have seen green and gold. It would look good in the garden.
Great info on food Forrest in NC area! , & very interested plants to see
Hi Justin
Fantastic video, I just wanted to mention that the wisteria "problem" should be seen as a positive rather than negative as they are also nitrogen fixers 🌱👍 just cut them back when you want that hit of nitrogen released. Keep up the good work and I will follow along.
Take care.
Jay
Thank you! Im trying to look at it that way. That's the permiculture way for sure.
I'm in Guilford county, starting my food forest this year. So great to find someone in zone 7b
You will do great and you may have more success than me with apples, being further west and north.
I’m in Iredell county! Thanks for the tour!
Finally, thank you! It's hard to find videos for this area of NC.
I know. I agree! That's why I made it. New video coming soon!
Literally just found this video this morning and was hoping for an update on your garden. Feels like a crazy coincidence that you just posted one! We're also in the Piedmont and are going to try a few things we saw you growing. Thanks for the info and video.
Awesome! Coincidentally, I got delayed a couple days and got it out just in time for you :)
The channel you mentioned was probably Canadian Permaculture Legacy. I've watched many of his videos for my cold climate food forest.
You are correct!
We're in zone 7b as well, I thought that it was much easier to grow a food forest here than in zone 3-5.
It all depends what you want to grow. Some of the more technical details such as chill hours that are required for certain fruit such as apples can make it difficult depending on the specifics of your geographic area. I suppose our growing zones are just one of many factors to take into account.
Hey 7b Va. Glad to see that artichoke. I want to plant some.
You should! They have done pretty well here.
Two years in a row of failing with lupines, here's what I've learned: soak and/or cold stratify the seed (mine came up and transplanted best when I winter sowed them), transplant when they are very small or sow in place, and afternoon shade when temps get over 80ish. Hopefully for me the 3rd year is the charm! Mine did bloom last year, but the heat burned them up shortly after.
Love this!!
THANK YOU !!!
Oh my gosh this video is so helpful thank you!
Love the on going updates. I look forward to next year!
I will be doing an update soon!
I am in 7b/8a and have the same issue with gathering information for my climate.I just found your channel and really appreciate you sharing. I’ll be checking back in.
I'm starting a new food forest. I will do all new videos.
Great Video. I started my Forest 3 months ago. However I did have a tiny bit to work with. I found some wild Peach and Apple Trees down the back of my Property, so thought I’d put them and see how we go.
I'm in the triangle area so im stoked I ran across your videos. Keep it up!
Yes! Love when local people find this.
Great tour - I'll never tire of touring other people's food forests!
I totally agree with you!
I have a few acres in Cleveland county, total noob when it comes to gardening, looking forward to learning a few things here. Keep us updated!
I'm also 7b I'm glad I found ur channel
For sure. I will do an update video soon.
Goat those weeds bro. I'm in NC also. I have a permaculture project on some land near Albemarle. A temporary electric fence with goats will do 100% upkeep on future food forest land. Move the fence everytime you are ready to add a new row. Your pluot looks great, where did you order it? I have the same persimmon cultivar and it gives monster crops every year.
Impressive! We have just started our journey. I can't believe how many varieties you have. We are 7b as well, but in Maryland. Great video! Thank you!
Good luck! I will post a new video soon.
Very informative video, thank you! I’m in Zone 7 too and looking forward to starting my food forest. This was helpful and gave me some ideas of where to start. I’m also a sucker for alllll the Baker Creek seeds! 😝
I love baker creek. I will be posting an update video soon.
Watched your vid on starting a food forest yesterday. Very interesting to see how well and quickly it has progressed. I have got into gardening since the lockdowns started. Dug 100m of swales during the winter and started planting out with trees this spring. Trying to do all of this from seed, cuttings or transplanting small trees from other areas. I'll now have to get on with planting out the rest of the berms. Hopefully next year, it will look a little more lively. Your food forest is really looking good, cheers.
You will have many great rewards from your hard work! Keep us updated with your progress.
Howdy neighbor!
HIIII
Wow 😍🌱🌻💚
THANK YOU!
This looks awesome. I'm also zone 7B NC and I also order from starksbro's for my fruit trees. So glad I found this video because I always wanted to know what others in zone 7B are doing.
Glad it was helpful! THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. I am going to do an update video soon.
oh, check the Georgia candy roaster squash. It s a great winter squash in our zone.
I will have to check that out for sure.
Please give an update!! Loved the video!!
Update will be published within a week.
Idaho, Zone 7 here. I did the black plastic first, too. Better than disturbing the soil. The next year when all the weeds underneath were dead I hard raked and sowed a wildflower mix over the whole thing saving the plastic in one piece to use elsewhere. Then as I created my guilds one at a time I remove the flowers, continually keeping them @ 12" away from the wanted plants for the guilds room to grow. And I'll eventually leave the rest in wildflowers for the pollinators.
In my annual garden I did the cardboard and mulch.
I take that back....I also put my trees in the plastic first before removing it the next year and planting the wildflowers.
Also, about the LOO-pin. I haven't had luck with them, either but have found out since that the seeds need to be scarred before sowing.
Haha yeah. The loo-pin can be tricky. I did ok with germination, but just getting them to a flowering stage has been difficult lately!
Thanks for sharing; awesome, impressive food forest. Lemon balm and oregano took over our food forest by seeding this year. We had to cover with cardboard and 5-6” of mulch again to start again🤦♂️
Oh wow! It doesn't surprise me, though. I can see that happening to me soon. I will do an update soon.
My year 3 was grand. I am sure yours will be too! Looking forward to each year more than I ever have since starting a Food Forest
I am so excited for this year. And it's already been so rewarding!
@@justinthewildoutdoors I feel like a hypocrite when I ask myself. Why isn't everybody growing a Food Forest? Then I remind myself that I am brand new to it. Thanks to social media and people like you word is spreading faster than ever.
@@foodforestretirement2799 I'm with you on that. It took me a long time to develope this passion. But there is no need to feel guilty. We all have our own path. Of course, I think most of us agree that the world would be a better place if everyone tried growing their own food.
The best black raspberry (and my zone 7 summers can get into the triple digits) is a variety called Munger, sometimes referred to as Blackcap.
I am in usda hardiness zone 7b. My friend and I both planted those 2 varieties of Asian Persimmon trees in a very mild warm winter and they froze dead on both of our orchards. Anything colder than zone 7b wont cut it with them. Just trying to help so you dont waste more time, effort and money. Last winter was exceptionally mild where you are located.
My persimmon are doing great right now. I think we tend to be on the warmer side of zone 7.
I’ve had Apple trees here in NC for 10 years. I’ve never heard of pruning them as you say, opening up from the middle. Peach trees yes, but not Apples.
Check out UC Santa Cruz on RUclips. Orin has great trimming videos. With that being said. I am starting to go to a modified central leader for my new apple trees.
I've been building my 10-acre food forest for almost 30 years. The most important thing I"ve learned is to plant perennials for your zone and keep the soil covered with mulch. I'm in zone 7b too, I can see zone 8a from my yard so I'm currently pushing the zones to try to establish a few zone 8 plants/trees. I'm still adding fruit trees, bushes, herbs, and wildflowers. Also more chop & drop (always planting more chop & drop plants/trees). Never spray or dig up weeds, cover them, and harvest their seeds so they don't spread (if you break their roots, it often makes them spread!).
A lot of wisdom in your comments. I am just learning much of the same!
Here in Georgia zone 8a I mix Austrian Winter Peas with Clovers and use both for mulching.
Great idea!
In 7b: Best Growth ever was sweet potatoes took over a multi-veg bed one year but ate them for 9 mos. This year trying more pollinators and borage, cosmos and french sorrel were enormous and super healthy. Most all native pollinators planted for first time in front, side and back yard have transplanted well from gifted cuttings and seedlings. Besides attracting countless pollinators they are so much more adaptable than nonnative plants. Needed that success this year while annual garden was sickly trying Mel's Mix recipe for square foot gardening for 1st time. Cats and squirrels messed up most of direct bed seeding. New caged lids will help for fall gardens.
I have had a very similar experience as you have. I will be positing a new video soon too!
Delighted to have found another food forest in a similar climate! We're equivalent to 7b/8 in the south of the UK.
I try to maintain a list of temperate forest gardeners on youtube, so we can more easily find one another. Have added this video.
Awesome! It is hard to get good sources for our zones!
Great video - am going to watch your other stuff later, too.
Have you tried to use your rampant wisteria for chop and drop? I have one growing on a rose trelllis, but of courase it wants to climb all over the house (and the nighbors houses, most probably :D ) So I have to cut it back every few weeks to days, depending on the weather... :O It used to drive me mad, but then I thought, wait a minute, thats a legume. Nitrogen fixer. NOW i think of it as "harvesting fertillity" for the rest of my garden, which makes the work so much more enjoyable. If you think, it may root, where you drop it (it doesn't here, but who knows...) ust strip of the leaves and use the branches to make biochar or dry them out and chip them.
The raspberries probably get to much sun where you planted them. They are more of a understory/forest edge plant, so I think, they need more shade.
I'm in "Zone 7", too, but Germany, and there is a lot of literature (Martin Crawford, Anni Kelsy (not sure I spelled here name right) and of course David Jacke/Eric Toensmeier and lots of others. But as the Zones are only defined by average low temperature American Zone 7s are not really comparable to british or Mid-Europe Zone 7, because here the summers probably not as hot, not as humid and we have a different sun elevation (we'd be way colder here, if it wasn't for the golf stream). So we have for the most part no problems growing apples, pears, plums, cherries and so on, but peaches are difficult. So part of the fun of growing a food forest is experimenting :)
Wisteria is a great nitrogen fixer and I do currently chop and drop, but it is so well established that it is rampant. It's not going anywhere so I must embrace it now.
I'm surprised about the raspberries as well, because they are doing great in that spot. Understory plantings failed for me.
It gets so hot here. I think that makes it difficult for the apples to flower. Peaches do love it though. I will post an update video soon!
My area is 8a in nc. Little warmer for me, but many things grow well in 7&8. Take a look at mulberry, plums, black cherry, blue berries, blackberries, persimmons, figs,, even some raspberries. Also, for the grapes look for varieties that are resistant to pierces disease. Blanc du bois is one type, lomante, lenoir, and types of summer grape are others.
I do have most of those now. Some may have been added since the video. I will do an update soon.
The nasturtiums near the brassicas is good. Also sage, rosemary, thyme, and mint will help keep the pests away from them. Just like the basil with tomatoes.
All great combos!
Your video was very helpful! I have just moved to the area from Syracuse, NY, and I am trying to familiarize myself to the climate and growing conditions here. My house will be ready in a couple of weeks, so I want to prep for next years growing season ASAP! What recommendations do you have for purchasing seeds?
I buy a lot of my seeds from Baker Creek and Seed Savers, then I try to save my own seeds from there to avoid having to buy again each season. Fortunately, we have a great long growing season for annual garden crops. Just watch out for the humidity and heat.
Scarlet runner beans are a perennial. Needs a trellis and the pods are edible but tough so you cook and eat the seeds like kidney beans. Super easy germination.
I have heard of them, but I will look into them more based on your recommendations!
Nice man! Will we see a 3yr update?
Doing an update very soon!
I'm still watching the video, but I didn't catch if you had paw paw and chicasaw plum. I'm a bit south of you, but still in 7b. I also grow dwarf fig, grapes, muscadines, peach, raspberries, and asparagus for perennials.
I have some plum varieties, but not chicasaw. That will probably be added. I do have a few varieties of paw paw, but they take a while to fruit. I collect fig trees so I have about 20 varieties of fig at this moment. Grapes have been a struggle, but the muscadine do amazing here. Peaches are doing great, raspberries have taken off and asparagus is just now getting to the point where the harvest is substantial. I will post a new video soon.
Have plenty of wood chips available in yard. Planted 6 fruit trees still surrounded with grass. Wanting to add guild plants but wondered if should add first straight to soil then add cardboard, grass clips for nitrogen and top with chips or put chip mixture down first. It seemed cumbersome to do the latter digging through it all.
If you have time on your side I would put down cardboard and woodchips. After it breaks down for about 6 months your will be able to do some more planting with less weed competition. I sometimes cheat and bring compost in. Mixing green and brown mulch is always best when possible though.
@@justinthewildoutdoors Had these fresh chips 4 months and have to dig deep under for decomposing wood. Guess will do cdboard, shallow chips, leafy compost. thx
@@justinthewildoutdoors Yes. In my experience, that is the easiest method. But it also could depend on what you are planting and what material you have for mulching. When planting shrubs, I found it is also okay to plant them first and then mulch, especially, if you have enough cardboard. If I want to plant the herbal layer I like to mulch first. So, when I want to plant in the fall, I try to cardboard the whole area in spring, but instead of using woodchips, I like wood chavings, saw dust or shredded straw better - its just easier to plant thrrough that. During the summer I'll add lawn clippings in very thin layers to add a bit nitrogen into the mix. When I want to plant in the spring, I try to prepare the area in the fall, and use Cardboard, lawn clippings, chopped up weeds and, of course leaves. For mulching around herbatious plants and shrubbs I like woodchavings, shredded straw and leaces, because thats lighter, in case it lands on the plants and it's easier to spread. But I'll use just about anything I can get my hands on :)
Thanks for the awesome video , I am located in triad area where do you get your trees from ?
I also am in the western Triad area. I'm very interested in where you get your plants and how you decide what you should plant. Glad I found you!
I have gotten trees from Starkbros, Burtridge, onegreenworld, and TYTY. I have really like the trees from Starkbros.
Excellent video, thank you so much for taking your time out to make such a delicate informative video 😊.
Looking forward to watching some more🤗👍..and to answer your question on your about me…so do I, I definitely am a firm believer of making the ground and nature a part of our everyday lives haha..take care!
Glad you enjoyed it! I will do a new video soon. Lots of updates.
@@justinthewildoutdoors all smiles! Glad to know and I’ll be waiting as a patient student haha
try some dwarf mulberry trees. apples, peaches, require so much pesticides or fungicides to get good fruit. or pawpaw are low care too.
I always forget to show my mulberry trees in videos. Thank you for the advice!
What guide did you use with your guilds? I know the 5-6 best types of plants to add (like nitrogen fixers..) but did you also find good guidance on the best companions specific to individual types of fruit trees? That seems like a lot to research. Your plants look very healthy, exciting!
Seen lots of videos seems experimental mostly, no clear suggestions. thots?
@@alicepettit164 I think a lot of my guilds were built out of gut instinct. Nitrogen fixers are a good starting point, but I think shape and size also give us an indication of plants that could co-exist with one another. Depth of root structure also matters. Shallow roots may not compete as much with deep rooted plants. Native plants will probably do well anywhere(I like echinacea to fill spots, for example) . I read everything online and, there isn't much out there for perrenials like you said.
What part of north carolina? I'm only 45 min from the border, in VA, I'd love to tour your gardens
Also from Guilford county, recommendations for local nurseries? Where do you get wood chips?
I get my trees at country farm and home in Pittsboro. I get mulch from chatham County. $5 for a truck load.
Is it possible that wisteria would be a good thing to attract of bees as long as it has a designated area and not growing all over the other plants
It has some positives, but it is taking over and is very invasive.
In time, will the taller section (north side) shade out the food forest?
No because I am in the northern hemisphere so the sun comes from the south.
I'm in NC, Asheville area and am doing something similar. My biggest problem is the Deer and Groundhogs, I don't know what's going on with the Groundhog population around here but those little bastards are PROLIFIC. On less than an acre of land I've killed as many as 15 in a year's time and I've not even made a dent in the population. I can't do as much about the deer, but the repellents are a joke and the soaps and sprays don't deter them at all, so I've got ridiculous and haphazard baskets of chicken wire around all the fruit trees. Look into the Indian White Freestone Peach, they are excelling here in Western NC. Last year we watched helplessly as a male black bear completely stripped our peach trees and sat and literally ate over a hundred peaches in one sitting, we were hollering and banging on pots and he wouldn't even make eye contact with us lol
You all have some awesome wildlife out west, but they do some serious damage. Deer taste great and bear does too. As for the Indian Freestone...I literally bought one 5 days ago. I am so excited to grow it.
Do you not find it necessary to have a fence around the entire food forest/garden? Or a solar electric wire? Are deer not a problem there? Or rabbits? Or is it overall healthier for the soul to have animals in there eating a bit?
I don't mind some animal traffic. I just make sure they don't damage the trees. I expect to have to share fruit with the animals when it is ripe.
Your wood chips after 2 years seem to be breaking down well. Did you layer it with other materials, and how thick did you apply it?
I really think that some of my wood chips were already partially decomposed when I get them. This was a huge advantage. Our county sells hardwood mulch that is broken down a little for $5 a truck load.
@@justinthewildoutdoors how thick?
@@NJGirlinATX about 6 inches
@@justinthewildoutdoors thank you! One more question. Any tips on the artichokes. I have 6 plants in very big pots that are established, some are two years old. Plant now or wait till the spring? I just started my food forest in my front yard. Many fruit trees and 80 yds mulch. So excited!
@@NJGirlinATX hmmm. My artichokes seem to come back each year. If they are well established they should be able to handle the cold temps. If it were me I would experiment and do half and half. They should produce second year if not the first.
I found this: "The Carolina Permaculture Farm" while searching for the Permaculture Farm and was wondering if it is close to your place?
I think I have heard of them. I believe they are in SC. A few hours away.
That's weird that your all-in-one almond doesn't flower. Mine's just a dinky little thing and it has flowered ever since I put it in the ground.
I suspect the nursery had it mislabeled.
What is the name of the black raspberry plant?How did they do? I’m going to watch newer walk through but thought I’d ask in case it’s not in there.
Not sure if you are still interested in the name, but I'm having to look it up. I can't remember. I think I wrote it down. I will let you know when I find it.
@@justinthewildoutdoors I am! Tyvm 🤗
Wood chips and plant more for weed control. Check out Dr Elaine Ingram and Natural Korean farming.
Such a great concept. Executing that plan is my problem, though. hahaha
Thanks for the trick about grafting on the trifoliate orange. I’m interested in them, but heard they can cause digestive upset; so grafting a different citrus would be cool! I’m zone 7a, so hopefully something will survive on it 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Thanks! Subbed
For sure! I think anything can cause digestive upset in certain quantities. I have only tasted a couple and in small quantities. I will keep you posted. Ne video coming soon!
Im in Hendersonville just starting a food forest . i did 2 figs and peach and blue berry last year. I just bought a pear . is there a group around here to join?
I wish. I’m a couple hours east of you in Davidson County. Our library used to do meetups for gardeners but stopped due to the pandemic.
I don't know of any groups around here. I am hope to build more of a community.
@@justinthewildoutdoors check your libraries!!!
I'm out in WNC and I cannot grow any brassicas either. I have up
I feel like it should be cold enough out there. I wonder if trying to grow them in the late summer early fall would be better. New video coming soon.
How big is your food forest in square meters?
Probably only 1500sq meters.