Food Forests & Vertical Gardens

Reader's note: This blog is just a dip in the big pool of information you can find on the topics. We've added some links to great resources for each method.

If you’ve ever wished you could grow more food without needing more land, vertical gardening and food forests might be your perfect solution.

Both methods focus on maximizing space while working with nature instead of against it—making them ideal for homesteads, backyards, and even small urban lots.

Vertical gardening is exactly what it sounds like: growing upward rather than outward. Trellises, arbors, cattle panels, wall planters, and stacked beds allow crops like cucumbers, peas, beans, squash, and even tomatoes to climb. This not only saves space but improves airflow, reduces pest pressure, and makes harvesting easier on your back. Beginners can start small—add a trellis to an existing raised bed or hang pocket planters for herbs and greens. Here's a great article for things to consider as you start your vertical garden by Laura Miller

On the other hand, a food forest is a long-term, permaculture-inspired system designed to mimic a natural woodland. It layers food production just like a forest ecosystem: tall fruit and nut trees form the canopy, dwarf trees and shrubs fill the understory, berries and herbs create the bush layer, and groundcovers like strawberries or clover protect the soil. Over time, these systems become largely self-sustaining—requiring less watering, fertilizing, and weeding. Check out this awesome article by Krisedler.

How to Begin Your Endeavor

• Start by observing your space. Note sunlight patterns, wind exposure, and soil quality.

• For vertical gardening, install sturdy supports first, then choose climbing varieties suited to your climate.

• For a food forest, begin with your anchor trees—apple, pear, plum, or hazelnut—then build outward with shrubs, pollinator plants, and edible groundcovers.

Most importantly, start small and grow slowly. Whether you’re training vines up a fence or planting the first trees of a future forest, each layer you add brings you one step closer to a thriving, abundant ecosystem right outside your door!