Using a permaculture approach to design and grow a garden or orchard can realise a functioning ecological system, composed of many parts, each contributing to the overall stablility, health and resilience of the whole. This results in a community of plants and fauna in dynamic equilibrium.
Growing food is a great way to interact with the earth and share the return with others. There are many techniques for gardening, but permaculture is clear about using organic approaches and increasing biological diversity. By building soil diversity and fertility naturally, the results are increased natural stability, improved productivity and resilience. By taking this approach any dependency on synthetic, and often toxic regulators or additives is removed.
The role of fruit and nut trees in offering early bee fodder is an important reason for their inclusion in wildlife corridors and green infrastructure for they are multiple providers of ecosystem services valuable to us all.
Fruit and nut trees have become popular again for garden and landscape designers, not only for their beautiful blossoms and pollen, but also for the delicious local food they provide. Renewed concern for the environment, combined with the effects of economic recession have also resulted in people, groups and communities growing food in wildlife friendly ways. The rise of community gardening has seen many orchards being planted in public spaces, including in vacant plots, parks, on allotment sites and in school grounds.