Forest Gardening with Robert Hart

The lack of pests and diseases achieved by mulching, organic foliar sprays, and the understanding that useful plants can be grown in a succession of layers.

The seven layers are the canopy (highest layer), low tree layer, shrub layer, herbaceous layer, ground cover layer, rhizosphere, and vertical layer (climbers).

Plants such as currants, gooseberries, and Nava soft food bushes can be found in the shrub layer.

He recommends planting an orchard of standard food trees with intervals of about 20 feet, then planting dwarf trees in between, followed by fruit bushes, and finally herbs and perennial vegetables on the ground level.

The main principle is to create a system that combines maximum output for minimum labor.