I was asked about food forests in two remarkably different climates from Florida – Alaska and Maryland.

Here’s my answer:

Starting a Food Forest in Alaska

Here’s the original e-mail on starting a food forest in Alaska:

Starting a Food Forest in Maryland

Since I’m more familiar with the species that grow well in Maryland, I was able to also provide a list of species for a Maryland food forest project. Here’s the original comment I received from Fredericka:

I saw you on Marjorie’s summit. I live in Maryland and have 2 apple trees in my back yard next to my compost bin and garden. Its getting colder now so my garden is not being used. I would like you to recommend some plants and flowers I could put around the apple trees. I am 64 and hope to live long enough to build even a small food forest. My yard is part sun and lots of shade, but my apple trees are in a sunny part of the yard on the north side. I want to do the challenge….will you please help me with some suggestions? I thank you sir. My son will be so excited I took this step.

NOTE: The challenge she mentions was the one I posted here.

This question I answered directly in the video – check it out for my list of suggested Maryland Food Forest species. You’ll like them – I wish I could grow a lot of them here!

No matter where you are, if there are trees… you can grow a food forest of some sort. A cold-climate food forest basically started this whole modern food forest thing (go look up Robert Hart!).

Be creative, experiment, and make it happen! There’s no real way to fail other than NOT trying.

And I definitely recommend getting this book if you’re in a cold climate. It’s helped me even here in Florida.

Now get out there and start a food forest! Alaska, Florida, Maryland – make it happen!

Photo at top of post by Cecil Sanders.