Planting started in the Forest Garden in winter 2004/5, with an area approximately half an acre being planted with fruit trees and fruit bushes. Over the next few months, herbs and ground cover plants such as strawberries were planted. The ground was mulched with cardboard and covered with manure, fermenting cattle fodder (sweetcorn) and straw.
Phase 2 was planted in winter 2005/6, with more fruit trees and bushes being planted and mulched with cardboard, carpet, wood chippings and straw. Many volunteers helped with the planting and mulching.
Phase 3 has been planted in December 2006 as part of The Tree Council's National Tree Week. The Farm received a grant from the Tree Council which enabled another 30 trees to be planted and 33 volunteers helped the planting this time.
The photograph above taken in August 2006 of phase 1, it doesn't take long for the plants to get established. In July, a bucket of strawberries was being gathered every day!
