Forest garden fruits

[mogoli]

Hi, I'm in the very beginnings of creating a forest garden and am considering the plants I might like to grow. My land is at nearly 200m up, in the North Devon. A south facing slope.

I really want to grow some funky fruit trees and bushes but wonder what will do well, there's still little information about these plants...

I'd like to grow sweet hawthorn species, the blue sausage fruit, Chilian Guava, paper mulberry, plum yew, hardy kiwi, Asian pears and also a hybrid between a pear and rowan - called Shipova pear.

Also wondering whether there's varieties of figs and grapes that'd do well here as the summers can be coolish.

I'm just excited by all these new possibilities.... if there is anyone out there who has experience with any unusual fruit or nuts trees and can share their knowledge about what might do well, I'd be really grateful

Thanks!

Charlie

[Milims]

Hi there and welcome - why not pop onto the introductions thread and tell us a bit more about yourself?

[southeast-isher]

i know there are a few books on amazon that cover unusual fruit and things in particular. may also be worth checking martin crawford's agroforestry website and shop.

[boboff]

The things I like are

Giant Rhubarb
Sweet Sicilly
Mulberry

And don't forget the path edges are excellent for Raspberries and currants of all types.

And as Green Aurura recommended me to Martin Crawford, I would also recommend you go on one of his weekend cources in Dartington Devon, fantastic stuff.


(Graham often offers very good advice also)

[mogoli]

Thanks for your responce guys. I have indeed got Martin Crawford's book and visited his garden, which has been the most helpful source for me in my plans.

Yet it's very useful to hear from a wider variety of people and their experiences - a lot of these plants haven't been widely tested in the UK and I'm wondering the results from people have tried to grow unusual fruits where there is slightly cooler summers.

Grapes and figs for example, has anyone had any luck growing these at a higher altitude?

Thanks,

Charlie

[scrap]

The fig variety called Turkey brown seems to do well in the Dutch climate,although not this year.
Have you looked at Pawpaws? Hardy stuff...

I've grown a grape variety called Rembrandt,it was a true wine-breed and thrived in cool summers.
Had to machete it back in shape every 2 weeks...